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The Treasure 

jsa- 

OF l(9i^ 

LOST CAVE 

A Boy Scout Story 


BY . 

i\L H. F. KINSEY 


Copyright Applied for 



Pnblished By 

EAGLE PUBLISHING GO. 
Charleston, West Va. 




V 



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©Ci.A630784 


INDEX 


Chapter Page 

CHAPTER I— The Start - - - - 1 

CHAPTER H — The Legend of Lost Cave - 6 

CHAPTER III — A Run-in With Moonshiners - 11 

CHAPTER IV-^Don Gains Valuable Information 16 
CHAPTER V— Trip Tru Bat Cave - - 21 

CHAPTER VI— Captured by DevilJud - - 28 

CHAPTER VII — ^Prisoners - - - 38 

CHAPTER VHI— The Escape - - - 44 

CHAPTER IX— Don Uses His Fists - - 53 

CHAPTER X— The Search Starts - - 58 

.CHAPTER XI— The Daily Good Turn - - 68 

CHAPTER XH — A Narrow Escape - - 75 

CHAPTER XHI — Ches Springs a Scare - 80 . 

CHAPTER IX — A Midnight Discovery - 86 

CHAPTER XV— Lost Cave - . _ 93 

CHAPTER XVI — ^A Glimpse Into Ches’ Past - 101 
CHAPTER XVH— The Big Game - - 106 

CHAPTER XVIH —Ches Saved Again - - 116 

CHAPTER XIX — Don’s Day of Triumph - 121 

CHAPTER XX — The Treasure - , - - 125 



THE TREASURE 

OF 


LOST GAVE 


. CHAPTER L 

THE START. 

“Remember, boys, this is to be no Pullman car 
affair — do you get me?” 

This was Scoutmaster Bedford’s parting shot to 
the scouts of Troop 1, Lawton, as they left him at 
the door of their troop headquarters on Friday 
night. 

“Every fellow must be prepared to rough it in 
true pioneer style,” he continued, “and be ready to 
start Monday morning at six sharp. So good night.” 

The scoutmaster referred to the hike which had 
been planned many months before: a ten day jaunt 
which would carry them to the celebrated Carter 
Caves' in old Kentucky, familiarly known to tour- 
ists as “Marvel Land”. (That is, such tourists as 
were brave enough to endure the privations of a 
real wilderness, and to escape the fire of suspicious 
and over-careful moonshiner.) It is rightly named 


2 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


too, for the sights to be seen here are truly mar- 
velous, and beyond the descriptive powers of man, 
but of that we shall speak with some length later. 

The two following days were days of preparation 
and excitement with the Lawton scouts. Haver- 
sacks had to be packed, blankets rolled, provisions 
purchased, and a hundred and one details which 
go with such a trip. 

But Monday morning found a round dozen of them 
ready, and standing in front of their troop head- 
quarters at attention, awaiting marching orders 
from their chief: Scoutmaster Bedford. 

There was Patrol Leader Stockton, “Fatty” Hoover, 
the Roth twins, and Adventurous Don Roberts. 
Timid Danny Winters, whose mama reluctantly 
consented at the last minute to let him go. Talka- 
tive Timmy Sullivan, better known under the non 
de plume of “Timbuctoo Tim.” Silent Forest Da- 
vidson, who seldom spoke but observed much. 
“Chick” Raymond, just entering high school in a 
few days and feeling all the importance of a 
“freshy”. Wetzel, Hess and Dobson made eleven, 
and — ^last but not intentionally so — Billy Bedford, 
son of the scoutmaster. 

Three days’ provision filled their haversacks. 
These were to be replenished en route as the need 
developed. A pair of blankets and an ax completed 
their equipment. “No more, or no less” were the 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


3 


strict orders of Scoutmaster Bedford, but his words 
fell on at least one pair of deaf ears, or else his or- 
ders were deliberately disobeyed, for as he glanced 
around he saw “Fatty” Hoover struggling under 
the weight of an over-loaded haversack. In each 
hand he carried a good sized basket. On closer in- 
spection the Scoutmaster discovered that these two 
baskets were fiUed with canned peaches, canned 
pears several well known brands of grocery store 
jam, and a variety of fancy cookies. “Fatty” was 
puffing like a freight engine on a steep grade. Mr. 
Bedford was vexed as could be plainly seen. So 
much so that he did not see the humor of the situ- 
ation as the boys were seeing it, for they were now 
having much real sport at “Fatty’s” expense, ply- 
ing him with such questions as: “How long are you 
going to be gone. Fatty”? “Got any more room on 
that dray?” “Who did you buy out?” and the like. 

As an experienced long distance hiker, Mr. Bed- 
ford knew fuU well that a fellow so heavily laden as 
“Fatty” was would prove a , real hindrance on such 
a hike as this. The scoutmaster had now reached 
his side, and asked sharply: “Why all this load, 
sir? You heard my instructions Friday night, and 
why have you seen fit to disobey them?” 

“Sir?” 

“You heard me. Hoover — now answer my ques- 
tion.” 


4 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


Fatty had now relieved himself of the two bas- 
kets and was soon busy mopping the perspiration 
from his brow. He finally replied between puffs: 

“Well, sir — I wan’t calculatin’ on starvin’ while 
on this trip.” 

“That’s very evident”, Mr. Bedford responded, 
“you surely must know that we will pass farm 
houses and grocery stores on our way down.” 

“Well, sir”, replied Fatty with a sort of lazy in- 
difference, “you see I wan’t goin’ to take no 
chances.” 

“No, you never do. Hoover, when it comes to eat- 
ing — ^but no further parley — you have ample pro- 
visions in your haversack— now I’ll give you just 
ten minutes to get back to your home and rid your- 
self of those two baskets.” 

Mr. Bedford glanced at his wrist watch, and then 
back at the boy, as he asked: “What say you?” 

Fatty hesitated a moment and as a deep frown 
covered his face, he drawled out: “Well, I guess if 
1 have to, I have to.” 

It took Fatty less than ten minutes to carry out 
his scoutmaster’s orders, and soon the gladsome 
command of “Forward” was heard, and the long 
looked for hike had become a reality. 

The first three days out were without incident, 
and the hikers for the most part were passing thru 
a section of country familiar to their eyes. It was 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


5 


on the fourth day, however, that new scenes began 
to appear as they struck the trail leading thru the 
hills to Tygart Valley. They entered this valley 
at the very headwaters of Tygart River, the stream 
on which they had planned to camp. Numerous 
small caves began to show up, and while they only 
extended back underground a few feet they were 
of interest nevertheless, and the scouts halted 
11 any times to explore these miniature caverns and 
to inspect the many unique rock and crystal for- 
mations. The entire length of Tygart thru which 
they had passed seemed fairly honeycombed with 
these small caverns, and there was real joy experi- 
enced by these youthful pedestrians, for they knew 
now that they had at last reached the cave coun- 
try. 



6 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


CHAPTER II. 

THE LEGEND. OF LOST CAVE. 

The Cliffs of Tygart were reached near dusk but 
were still plainly visible. Like silent sentinels they 
rose up in the somber twilight casting their dark 
shadows upon the limpid waters below. The scouts 
were enjoying every step of the hike thru this won- 
derful valley, and a real thrill possessed therp when 
Scoutmiaster Bedford commanded them to halt, an- 
nouncing that they would pitch camp here for the 
night. A more ideal spot could not have been cho- 
sen. Bubbling out of the side of the hill was the 
sparkling water of a mountain spring. Piles of 
driftwood had been washed ashore, which the boys 
were soon dragging in preparatory to building fires. 
But before these were started the entire bunch had 
disrobed, and were soon bathing their weary bodies 
in the cool waters of Tygart. 

Shortly following this very delightful experience 
a half dozen or more fires were started, and soon the 
delicious odor of frying bacon permeated the air, 
and Oh boys — what a feast! 

Don Roberts was not only the adventurer of the 
bunch but philosopher as well and it was he who 
asked Mr. Bedford, in the course of the meal, what 
he thought heaven was like. 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


7 


“Why, Roberts, I can’t say that I ever gave the 
subject very much thought. You know I think 
there is so much to enjoy right here in this present 
world that we can have heaven three hundred and 
sixty-five days out of the year if we are of a mind 
to. Why — what is your conception of heaven?” 

“Well — you know, Mr. Bedford, I was just a 
thinkin’ it might be a campin’ out like this.” 

“You may not be so very far frpm the truth, my 
boy. I am willing to admit that it would be heaven 
for me, and I believe I voice the sentiments of every 
true scout — certainly those who are on this hike.” 

More thrills were experienced that night as the 
scoutmaster and his twelve charges gathered around 
the blazing campfire and related story after story 
of adventure. But the best was reserved for the 
last when Mr. Bedford threw another large fagot 
on the fire and started his story: 

“Boys — tomorrow we will reach the Carter Caves 
if no ill luck befalls us, and I thought possibly a 
little advance story about them tonight might in- 
terest you, and increase your desire a* little more 
to see them and explore them. You will find four 
very large caverns in the group: “Bat Cave”; “X- 
Cave”; “Laurel”, and “Swindlers”, I will not de- 
scribe them now, for you will soon see them, but I 
thought it might interest you to know a little some- 
thing about their origin. I had the pleasure a few 


8 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


summers ago of visiting these caverns at the time 
a very celebrated geologist was exploring them, and 
he claimed for them an age of over one hundred 
thousand years, establishing the fact that they are 
pre-glacial. He pointed out a number of stalag- 
mites which were over ten feet in circumference, 
at their base, and rising to a height of over six feet. 
This gives you some idea of the age of these caves 
when we learn that stalagmites and stalactites are 
said to grow barely an inch in a thousand years. 
We know very little about the discovery of these 
caves, but it is a well known fact that they were 
being visited not so many years following the Revo- 
lutionary War. Also that they were the favorite 
haunts of many Indian tribes. Our guide will point 
out to us when we visit “Bat Cave” the exact spot 
where Daniel Boone slept one night. Of course 
much of this is only tradition and it is difficult to 
find out just how much is true and how much is 
not. But I had almost forgotten to tell you what I 
had started out to — and that is about the legend of 
Lost Cave, for there is a legend that there were orig- 
inally five caves in this group, but many years ago 
one of them very mysteriously disappeared from 
view. Of course we are somewhat skeptical about 
accepting this story, and yet such a thing is not 
improbable. Large boulders rolling down the hill- 
side might have covered the entrance, or the en- 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


9 


trance itself might have caved in, and become en- 
tirely hidden from view. Such a thing, I say, is 
not improbable. The Indian adds a slight variation 
to this legend by telling us that there is a chest of 
gold to be found in this cave, and happy is the man 
who discovers it.” , 

“Now, boys, that is all for tonight. I see it is 
growing late; we are all very tired; and I now sug- 
gest that we roU up in our blankets and dream 
about these mysterious caverns which we shall soon 
visit. 

Long after the rest had fallen asleep that night, 
Don Roberts lay awake thinking of the legend told 
by the Scoutmaster around the campfire. The oth- 
ers had dismissed it from their minds immediately 
^s a sort of myth or fairy tale, but not so with- Don. 
To him Lost Cave was a reality. In his mind’s eye 
he could picture its every detail: its entrance; its 
spacious chambers; its crystal formations — yes, and 
its chest of gold too. He was growing restless; his 
heart was beating a regular tattoo, and he longed 
for dawn when he could press on once more toward 
the goal of his desire. 

Presently aU sounds grew fainter and he was soon 
fast asleep and dreaming of the wonderful things 
his mind had visualized that night. But it did not 
seem long, for he was rudely awakened by the re- 
veille. He opened his eyes and found that it was 


10 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


good daylight, and he scampered out of his blank- 
ets for his morning dip, and was soon ready for 
breakfast. 



THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


11 


CHAPTER III. 

A RUN IN WITH MOONSHINERS. 

Just as the sun was peeping over the Cliffs of 
Tygart, the merry hikers were once more on the 
march with faces set steadfastly towards Carter- - 
the land of caves. Shortly before noon they came 
in sight of the first real signs of civilization they 
had witnessed since entering Tygart Valley. It was 
a little hamlet with a cross roads store, two farm 
houses, and a blacksmith shop. It was evidentl:/ a 
village of some importance as a half dozen or more 
farmers sat on the porch of the little store engaged 
in earnest conversation. As the scouts halted in 
front they observed a crude sign just over the door 
which read: 


BIG BEND POST OFFICE. 

The little* postoffice stood near the mouth of a 
small creek, also named Big Bend, and which emptied 
into Tygart at this point. 

Mr. Bedford managed to catch one sentence of 
the conversation of the little group which occupied 
the porch as he drew up in front of the store. It 
fell from the lips of the eldest of the party, a tall 
rawboned farmer, who had risen to his feet and was 
shaking his head and index finger vigorously as he 
exclaimed in excited tones: 


12 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


“They air Revenooers I tells yer. Mark my wur- 
ruds, they be Revenooers.” 

The conversation came to an abrupt ending as 
Mr. Bedford and the scouts drew a pace nearer, and 
the old farmer turned and faced them with a sullen 
look. 

Mr. Bedford after giving the command, “halt”, 
addressed the group courteously: 

“Will you gentlemen be so kind as to tell me how 
far it is to the Carter Caves?” 

The old farmer, who seemed to be spokesman for 
the group replied with curt sarcasm: 

“Air yer shore it’s ther Carter Caves yer lookin’ 
fur?” 

He then braced himself up full length, folded his 
arms, and awaited Mr. Bedford’s answer. Mr. Bed- 
ford was puzzled at the fanner’s attitude, and he 
could not quite understand it. He hardly knew 
what to say, but he finally regained his composure 
and spoke in just as courteous tones as he had be- 
fore: 

“Yes sir — the Carter Caves is most assuredly our 
destination, and we would like to know the distance 
there. We had hoped to reach there before night- 
fall.” 

The old farmer’s eyes were fairly snapping by this ■ 
time, and when Mr. Bedford had finished, said: 

“Wal, stranger, we Kaintuckians over hyar on Big 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


13 


Bend don’t waste many wurruds on a low sneakin’ 
bunch o’ spies.” 

Mr. Bedford seemed perfectly dumbfounded — ^but 
not long, for it dawned upon him like a flash what 
the true situation was. He now remembered the 
words of the farmer, which were spoken as he and 
the scouts approached them, and he could scarcely 
repress as mile. 

“So they think we are a band of revenue offi- 
cers, do they?” he thought — “Well I’d much rather 
they wouldn’t if all the reports I’ve heard about 
moonshiners on Big Bend be true.” 

Before Mr. Bedford could reply to the irate old 
farmer, and explain just who they were, and what 
their mission was, he broke out again: 

“We uns is peaceable citizens over hyar on Big 
Bend, and we don’t perpose to have any blankety- 
blank bunch o’ spies alius stickin’ thar noses ’n our 
bizness. Thars ther road — I ain’t keerin’ which 
way you uns go, but — git jest as fur from Big Bend 
as yer gander shanks’ll take yer. Do you git me?” 

“But” — Mr. Bedford broke in, “allow me to ex- 
plain, we — ” 

“Naw, naw,” the old farmer interrupted. “I 
knowed a feUer once that cum ’long Big Bend on 
jest sech bizness as you uns have cum, an’ he hung 
back ter splain, an’ I kin show yer his grave ef yer 
keer to see it.” 


14 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


Mr. Bedford realized that further argument would 
only make matters worse, and turning to the scouts 
gave the command, “Forward-March”. 

With silent but quick tread they soon marched 
out of what looked to both scoutmaster and scouts 
as an exceedingly dangerous situation. 

The news of their coming seemed to have gone 
before them in some mysterious way and every now 
and then a man would roll out of the bushes with 
a gun and look at them with much suspicion and 
some wonder. 

“I don’t like this a bit, Mr. Bedford,” whimpered 
timid Danny Winters, “why can’t we go back?” 

But Mr. Bedford did not have to rack his brain 
for a consoling answer, for Don Roberts, who was 
always equal to any occasion, spoke up: “You poor 
little boob — go back you say? why to go back means 
swift and certain death. Didn’t you hear what all 
that guy said back there? never— let’s go forward, 
for if we run this gauntlet safely we’ll find the treas- 
ure out there in Lost Cave, and then we’ll buy this 
whole bloomin’ valley out and order Mr. Who-ever- 
he-is to vacate and chase him down this river with 
a whole regiment of our hired soldiers and machine 
guns. I say, ‘forward’ — ’ 

Don’s words were like a tonic and soon the whole 
bunch had dropped their seriousness and were 
laughing at the philosophy of this youthful optim- 
ist. 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


15 


They made good time and by sundown were round- 
ing out their last five miles. The spirit of the bunch 
was fine — even to Danny Winters — and they were 
singing songs, giving their troop yells and having 
a royal good time in general — when all at once they 
were called to attention by a blast from their scout- 
master’s whistle. They immediately obeyed the 
command. 

“Boys”, Mr. Bedford began, “see those clouds? 
We are in for a storm, and a hard one too, I fear. 
Let’s double-quick for a few minutes, and perhaps 
we will come to a cabin where we can take shelter.” 

They were again in a sparsely settled section, and 
had not passed a cabin for fully an hour. They 
were now in a quick trot in spite of their heavy 
packs, and staging a race with the approaching 
storm. It was not long before a ragged line of fire 
cut thru the blackness overhead and the thunder 
began to crash and the rain to fall. 



16 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


CHAPTER IV. 

DON GAINS VALUABLE INFORAIATION. 

Mr. Bedford was looking intently as they jogged 
along for a cliff or cave where they might find shel- 
ter, but none could he see. All were getting a good 
drenching, and now finding it hard to keep the 
pace, but like true scouts they were making the 
best of an unpleasant situation without so much 
as a murmur. To such there is always a reward, and 
it came to them speedily, for as they reached the 
crest of the hill they spied the cheering outlines of 
a log cabin not far away, and there went up a 
mighty yell. They were not long in reaching it 
and at a peaked gate Mr. Bedford shouted: 

“HeUo!” 

“Hello!” was the answer which came from a mid- 
dle-aged woman who opened the door. She was 
barefooted and in her mouth was a pipe. Hovering 
close to her were three little girls and a boy with 
yellow hair and bare feet, who gazed curiously at 
the strange visitors. 

“Will you be so kind as to give us shelter from the 
storm?” asked Mr. Bedford. 

“Yes, stranger, ef you uns kin all crowd inter ther 
cabin. She’s a leakin’ powfuUy bad but you uns 
is welcome.” 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


17 


The woman’s simple hospitality was quite a con- 
trast to the treatment they had received from the 
farmer at the cross roads store and Mr, Bedford 
was ready to believe now that Kentucky hospitality 
was not a myth after all. The thirteen of them 
were soon filing into the little cabin which consisted 
of one lone room with two small windows. A big 
wood fire lighted the room, and the only furniture 
visible was a cane bottom chair, a small table and 
two beds. The roof was leaking in more than one 
place, and on each bed a tin bucket had been placed 
to catch the dripping water. The boys huddled to- 
gether in the more protected spots, and were soon 
taking an interested survey of the situation. 

“I reckon you hain’t had nothin’ to eat?” asked 
the woman, addressing Mr. Bedford. “I’se jest set 
up a leetle snack here which you uns is welcome 
to.” 

On a nearby table Mr. Bedford glanced at the meal 
which consisted of fat streaks of bacon swimming 
in grease, corn pone, potatoes, and sour milk. It 
was far from tempting, and the scoutmaster as- 
sured her that they were not hungry, having eaten 
a hearty meal at the noon hour. 

Mr. Bedford then related to the woman his expe- 
rience at the cross roads store, and he had scarcely 
finished when she snatched her pipe from her mouth. 


18 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


and gave utterance to an exclamation of contempt, 
as she said: 

“Ef I hain’t badly fooled, stranger, I b’leve I kin 
name that air devil.” 

Mr. Bedford looked at her with some surprise. 

“That air be old Jud Holbrook shore’s yer livin’. 
Devil Jud they calls him in these hyar parts, an’ he’s 
a pow’ful bad man, stranger — a pow’ful bad man.” 

She then related a very pathetic story of how he 
had a number of years before wrested from her a 
piece of property by intimidation and right down 
dishonesty. 

“N’ me a widder-woman, too”, she concluded, “the 
devil’ll shore git him.” 

“Yes, that’s true,” replied Mr. Bedford, “but I’d 
like to see the law get him first.” Then he asked: 

“Is he a moonshiner?” 

She hesitated a moment, and then answered: 

“That air I don’t know, but spicions strong agin 
him, fer he never lets any one cum up Big Bend 
’less he knows ’em powfully weU. Some revenooers 
wuz shot thar a while back an’ they say old Jud 
and his gang did it.” 

“Man alive” — ^broke out Don Roberts, “let the con- 
gregation rise and sing a hymn of praise for their 
deliverance. Is there another way home, kind 
lady?” 

“Thar mought be,” she answered, “I don’t know 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


19 


— ^but you uns keep jest as fur away from Devil 
Jud as you kin — ^he’s a powful bad man.” 

But Don’s interest was not in Devil Jud. He was 
itching to find out more about Lost Cave, and he 
was led to ask: 

“How far are the Carter Caves from here?” 

“Why, sonny, they’s jest over th’ hill thar,” and 
she pointed out the little window. “When yer gits 
to ther bottom of ther hill yer cross over Tygart 
and right up Cave Branch is ther caves. I ’lowed 
you uns wuz goin’ thar.” 

Don interrogated further: 

“Did you ever hear of Lost Cave?” 

She gave a low chuckle, and replied: 

“I’se hear’n^tell of it. Yer see my old gran’ pap 
owned them air caves once, but got cheated out o’ 
’em — , an’ I hain’t got much interest in ’em fer that 
reason. Thars a pack er papers ’bout ’em in that 
air old chist under ther bed, but you see, sonny, 
I’se ignorant; I can’t read ’em.” 

Don jumped to his feet and was all excitement as 
he exclaimed: 

“I can, lady — I can.” 

“Naw, sonny — them air sacret, an’ I knows my 
old gran’ pap wouldn’t want strangers peerin’ inter 
’em. I keeps ’em fer his sake.” 

Don was about to insist on seeing them, but a nod 
from Mr. Bedford prevented. 


20 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


The storm had passed and the faint rays of a dying 
sunset cast its red glow on the horizon. 

“Can we get to the caves before dark?” Mr. Bed- 
ford asked. 

“Oh, yes — she replied, “you can git thar afore 
dark.” 

Thanking her for her hospitality Mr. Bedford and 
his scouts bade her good by and started down the 
long hill, dropping at once into the thick dark woods 
below. The farther they went the deeper was the 
gloom. The sun had now set, and it was growing 
darker each moment. The path was steep and coiled 
downward like a serpent, finally leading to a small 
suspension bridge which spanned the silvery waters 
of Tygart. Crossing over they started up Cave 
Branch, and here is where their troubles began. 
The road (if it could be termed such) followed the 
creek bed in a criss cross route. Bad enough in 
daylight, but doubly worse at night. The rocks 
were slippery and more than one hiker experienced 
a good cold bath before reaching their destination. 
At exactly nine o’clock the joyous news was shouted 
back from scout to scout: “We have reached the 
caves, hurrah!” By the aid of flash lights they soon 
found a small cave, and in this they took shelter for 
the night. 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


21 


CHAPTER V. 

TRIP THRU BAT CAVE. 

The scouts’ first day at Carter Caves was spent 
in exploring the four caverns of this .group: “X- 
Cave”; “Laurel Cave”; “Swindler’s”, and “Bat 
Cave.” It is the latter which is monarch of them 
all, so named because of the great^ number of bats 
which inhabit it during the winter months. It 
has been the subject of many legends and stories. 
This wonderful cavern pierces the bowels of the 
earth to a maximum depth of seven and one-half 
miles, and rivals the splendors of the far famed 
Mammoth group . The entire distance is a laby- 
rinth of underground passages skilfully carved by 
nature thru solid rock. Its huge stalactites resem- 
ble giant icicles suspended from the roof of the 
cavern. Its white crystal stalagmites rise up like 
ghosts in the jet blackness which envelops the cave. 
The entrance is made from the side of a hill after 
a climb of fifty feet over huge boulders which have 
fallen from the roof at its mouth. You begin to feel 
the chilling air at once, and your thick wool sweater 
is none too warm. After your strenuous climb you 
find your guide awaiting you with lanterns all lit 
ready for the great adventure. 

The guide requested the calling of the roll of all 
present so that a check could be kept on the sight- 


22 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


seers during their seven and one-half mile trip un- 
derground. 

“Why is this necessary?” asked Mr. Bedford. 

“Well, it is an easy matter to get lost in a cave 
which is honeycombed as this one is with passage- 
ways, and one which extends back under the earth 
to such a great depth. I play the game safe, and 
take no chances.” 

Mr. Bedford drew from his pocket his camp roster 
and called the name of each boy. It was a weird 
experience, and a kind of shiver passed thru the 
crowd, but none expressed a desire to turn back. 

Just a few feet from the entrance you pass into 
one of the many huge chambers with its arched 
stone roof, and its thousands of glistening stalac- 
tites. It seems you have been transported all at 
once into the very heart of Fairy Land, and your 
eyes involuntarily seek the forms of elves, fairies 
and the like. You are then halted by your guide and 
he points out to you, “Echo River,” a small lake of 
unusual depth. He then drops a stone into the wa- 
ter, and you can hear the echo from the splash four 
distinct times. 

You then pass into the spacious Ball Room, a 
chamber of considerable size. Overhead huge stal- 
actites hang from the ceiling like great chandeliers. 
On either side are perfectly formed galleries, which 
the guide will tell you are nothing more or less than 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


23 


great crevices leading into innumerable passage- 
ways yet undiscovered. 

Daniel Boone’s Bed Chamber is the next thing of 
interest. Here you see a formation resembling the 
old fashioned teester bed and the exact spot where 
Daniel Boone spent a night when Red Men were hot 
on his trail. 

Then you enter a narrow passage called, “Fat 
Man’s Misery,” which is a good half mile long. The 
first quarter of a mile you are compelled to crawl 
on hands and knees, and on stomach some of the 
way to keep from scraping your back, and the leaner 
one happens to be the better he will fare. With 
Fatty Hoover it was one continuous groan from 
start to finish. 

After covering a distance of five miles the scouts 
came to what looked like a stair way leading up to 
a cavern about twenty feet above. The guide called 
this the entrance to Secret Chamber or Ghost Cham- 
ber. It is some climb too, but finally you reach the 
top and enter another chamber equally as large as 
the ball room, and the guide informs you that you 
are now in Secret Chamber, where you will be given 
the rare privilege of communing with the spirits 
of the departed. He then has you extinguish every 
light, and soon you are in total darkness. He com- 
mands every one to be still and hear the silence. It 
is ghastly. He then relates the legend of Secret 


24 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


Chamber: a blood curdling story of a brutal hus- 
band who led his wife into this chamber and then 
left her there to perish. 

“Boys”, he continued, “it is said that you can see 
her spirit in the form of a streak of light if you 
watch close enough. Look close, now — can you see 
it?” 

There was a few moments silence and soon the 
death like stillness was broken by a howl of despair 
which sent a shudder thru the little group. Could 
it be the wail of a departed spirit? Not at all. 
Nestling in the arms of Scoutmaster Bedford was 
the trembling form of Danny Winters whose nerves 
had been tested to their limit, and his wild shriek 
had apprised the others of the fact. Mr. Bedford 
consoled him as best he could, telling him that they 
would soon be outside again; to brace up, and be a 
man. His words seemed to have the desired effect, 
and once more silence reigned and all were eagerly 
watching for the mystic light again. 

“I see it — I see it.” 

It was a voice all recognized at once: that of Don. 
Roberts. 

The guide then lit his lantern and walking up to 
Don’s side extended to him his hand. 

“What’s that for?” asked Don. 

“Why, sir, to congratulate you. I have guided 
thousands of tourists thru this chamber the past 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


25 


eight years, and you, sir, have the exceptional honor 
of being the first to ever see that light.” 

Ihere was a confused look upon the boy’s face 
which quickly changed to one of chagrin as the 
crowd began to give him the horse laugh and accuse 
him of “seein’ things.” 

Their ridicule didn’t phase Don in the least and 
he stuck it out to the very last that he saw the light 
quite distinctly. 

Returning down the rocky stair-way all drew a 
sigh of relief for none of them seemed to have any 
desire whatever to prolong their stay in Secret 
Chamber. Passing thru another large chamber they 
came to the biggest body of water in Bat Cave, 
known as “Devil’s Lake.” This is twenty-five feet 
deep in some places with an ice temperature, and is 
the real source of Cave Branch. Following this un- 
derground stream for a half mile they came to the 
rear entrance of the great cavern, and to the end 
of one of the greatest experiences of their lives. 
It was near the midnight hour when they reached 
camp, and as they approached the guide’s home 
they heard strange voices. On arriving at the gate 
they found three men on horseback, who were await- 
ing the guide. After an exchange of greetings the 
men informed the guide that they had been in the 
saddle all day and were very tired, and would like 
to secure lodging for the night. As a true Kentuck- 


26 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


ian never turns a man away from his home they 
were told to alight, and as the elder of the group 
stepped to the ground and extended his hand to the 
guide, the latter recognized him and spoke cor- 
dially: 

“Oh, it’s you Sheriff Ratcliff — glad to see you. 
What are you doing way down in these parts?” 

“Same bizness as alius brings me down hyar,” 
and he gave a little chuckle. “Jest gittin’ ready for 
a little round-up. Licker’s been flowin’ outer this 
hyar valley a bit too free of late.” 

He then whispered in the guide’s ear — the latter 
replying audibly: “Oh, you needn’t mind these fel- 
lows They are boy scouts who are down here to see 
the Caves. They will never divulge any of your 
plans. On the other hand they might be of material 
assistance to you. You can set them to scouting 
for moonshiners,” and he laughed. 

“Purty good idee,” the sheriff responded, “hit’s 
five hundred dollars fer ye boys ef ye kin round up 
the- devils thet’s convertin’ this good old Kaintucky 
corn inter bug house juice — what sez ye?” 

As he propounded this question he brought his 
hand down vigorously on the shoulder of Don Rob- 
erts who was standing just in front of him, appar- 
ently very much interested in all that he was say- 
ing. 

Don made no reply until he felt the tight grip of 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


27 


the old sheriff’s hand upon his shoulder, as he asked 
the second time, “What sez ye?” 

“Look a here, mister,” the boy responded, “we 
are not down here huntin’ for trouble; we are down 
here to find Lost Cave.” 

The old sheriff indulged in a hearty laugh, which 
Don thought savored of ridicule. 

“Well, what’s funny?” Don asked. 

“Aw nuthin’ in pertickler, only I’d hate like the 
devil fer my board and lodgin’ ter depend on findin’ 
that fake cave. Findin’ these hyar moonshiners, 
sonny, is shore money.” 

“Yes,” Don replied — , “and if I’ve been rightly 
informed it’s sure death a lots of times too, isn’t 
it?” 

“Wal, sonny, they haint never got me yit, an’ I’se 
bin in ther game a powful long time.” 




28 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


CHAPTER VI. 

CAPTURED BY DEVTL JUD. 

Mr. Bedford was rudely awakened from his slum- 
bers the next morning by the shrill cry of some one 
on the outside of the cave. His first impulse was 
to ignore it as he had gotten to sleep late the night 
before, but he quickly changed his mind on hearing 
a voUey of oaths now directed at him and the 
scouts for their late sleeping. He wondered who 
it could be, so he quickly threw his blankets off and 
walked to the entrance of the cave where he saw a 
boy about sixteen years of age astride a gray mule, 
and pulling vigorously at a corn cob pipe. Mr. Bed- 
ford was angered by the fellow’s boldness as could 
be plainly seen, and asked sharply: 

“Well, what do you want?” 

“Lands sake — I tho’t ther whole bloomin’ bunch 
of. ye wuz dead,” and then broke out swearing 
again. 

Mr. Bedford hurried down to where the boy was, 
and grabbing him by the shoulder, said: 

“Look here, young man, swearing doesn’t go 
around here. Who are you, and what do you want?” 

The boy quickly released himseK from the tight 
grip of the scoutmaster, and with a scowl on his 
face, replied: 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


29 


“Be keerful, stranger, keep yer hands bff’n ther 
United States Government, or I’ll have ye caged.” 

“Ah, is that so? So you are the whole United 
States Government, are you?” and iMr. Bedford’s 
anger now changed to mirth, and he laughed heart- 
ily- 

“I had no idea that I was addressing such an im- 
portant personage, but where do you get that gov- 
ernment stuff?” 

“Funny is it?” I don’t see anything so derned 
funny,” the boy broke in, “I’m the mail man an’ 1 m 
not to be tampered with. Does you git me?” and 
he emphasized his remarks as he brought his hand 
down on a weU worn mail pouch which was attached 
to his saddle. 

“Oh, I see,” Mr. Bedford replied, “but the fact that 
you are the mail man doesn’t license you to disturb 
the rest of peaceable citizens and insult them with 
your vile oaths.” 

His remarks did not abash the boy in the least and 
he asked Mr. Bedford if he and the scouts had any 
mail to go out. 

“You’ll find our mail down there in the box on 
the road-side,, and hereafter don’t go out of your 
way to solicit us, and above all you’ll have to cut 
out that swearing when your business does bring 
you here.” 


30 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


“Does ye know who ye air a talkin’ to?” the boy 
asked. 

“No — and I don’t care a rap.” 

“Well pardner ye air addressin’ a Holbrook, an’ a 
Holbrook takes nuff’n off’n nobody.” 

“I don’t care if you are the Kaiser of Germany,” 
Mr. Bedford replied heatedly. “When you visit this 
camp you will be compelled to comply with its rules 
and regulations the same as my own boys do, or out 
you go. Is that plain?” 

“It’s derned plain — so plain that somebody’s goin’ 
to make yer swaller every word of it afore ye leaves 
hyar.” 

“Your threat doesn’t alarm me in the least,” Mr. 
Bedford replied as he turned and walked back into 
the cave. 

“Holbrook is it?” he was saying to himself, “Hol- 
brook — Oh yes,” and he remembered the incident 
at the Cross Roads Store two days before. “No 
doubt this young reprobate is a near relative of the 
famous Devil Jud. It’s a dead cinch we haven’t the 
well wishes of the Holbrook clan, but we shan’t 
let that mar the pleasure of our visit down here.” 

He found the scouts up and dressing, and soon all 
were preparing breakfast in true pioneer fashion. 

After breakfast Mr. Bedford announced that 
scouting games would be the order of the morning, 
the first being the treasure hunt. He stated further 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


31 


that the treasure, which was a big juicy watermelon, 
had been hidden at a certain spot, and three routes 
of equal distance led to it. The twelve scouts were 
divided into three groups of four each. Group one 
would start from the big gate leading to the guide’s 
home. Group two would start from the big oak 
tree near the spring, and Group three would follow 
the little brook emptying into Cave Branch near 
Laurel Cave. Mr. Bedford explained that the first 
clew would be written and posted at the starting 
point, but after that the hunters would have to de- 
pend entirely on signs which most of them had 
familiarized themselves with by reading the Boy 
Scout Handbook. At a blast from the scoutmaster’s 
whistle, the game was on, and the scouts started on 
their quest with real, genuine enthusiasm. 

Don Roberts selected as his three companions. 
Forest Davidson, and the Roth twins, and they 
chose the third route which led up the rocky little 
stream which terminated at Cave Branch. It was 
by far the most difficult route to traverse, but Don 
chose it because it happened to be the least trav- 
eled, and he thought his chances for finding Lost 
Cave greater. On reaching the place where the 
search was to begin in earnest, the boys spied a 
piece of paper tacked to a large oak tree, which 
they recognized as their first clew. It read as fol- 
lows: “Follow the bed of the stream to Fern Bridge, 


32 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


and search underneath it for your next clew.” The 
boys had heard of this bridge but had never seen 
it. They knew it was a natural bridge which 
spanned this little brook known as Fern Brook, and 
they were eager to see it. It was one of the many 
interesting places to be found at Carter Caves. 
They had only been hiking a little over fifteen min- 
uter when they came in sight of this wonderful nat- 
ural span, which rises to the height of over two 
hundred feet and is literally covered with ferns 
and drooping vines. Such a sight they had never 
beheld before and they stood befpre this great work 
of nature in deep wonderment. They were soon 
busy looking for their next clew, and so intent were 
they in their search that all talking had ceased, and 
every available space around and under the bridge 
was being carefully inspected. Thus they searched 
for fully a half hour, and then it was that the treas- 
ure seekers began to manifest impatience. Don 
Roberts was the first to speak: 

“Well, fellers, it looks like we are Jonah’d. I can’t 
see a bloomin’ sign to guide us any place.” 

He had scarcely finished his sentence when Da- 
vidson shouted with glee: 

“Oh, looka here,” and he directed the boys’ gaze 
to a large rock on which a smaller one had been 
placed and to the right of these two was another. 
Every boy in the group readily recognized the sign 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


33 


and its meaning, for all were Second Class scouts, 
and were quite proficient in tracking. 

“It means,” Don cried out, “to turn abruptly to 
the right — but land’s sake, that means to climb up 
that precipice. Can we make it?” 

“Sure, sure,” the trio replied. 

“All right then, fellers, follow me.” 

With that the four boys began their weary climb 
up the rocky hillside, and it was some strenuous 
feat too, and not without its dangers. But they 
made it, and gave a sigh of relief when they had 
safely reached the top, and gazed down into the dizzy 
depths below. They were soon busy searching for 
the next clew which proved less difficult than the one 
under the bridge, for on reaching the top of the cliff 
their eyes immediately fell on two rows of small 
stones which formed a perfect “V”; the point of 
the V showing them their next direction, which 
brought them to a weU beaten path which led thru 
a dense forest. Don cautioned his followers to keep 
their eyes open for further signs, for he felt sure 
they would soon observe some sign which would 
lead them off the path. Sure enough, he was right, 
for they had only traveled a few hundred yards 
when they spied a forked stick driven in their ,path 
and in the prongs was a slender pole six feet long 
pointing to the left. 

“Here’s the turn off, fellers,” Don shouted back. 


34 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


and on reaching it he turned to the left and found 
himself in the midst of a veritable jungle of briars, 
and a network of clinging vines. The latter stretched 
across their path like strands of wire, and .they 
found it difficult to force a passage. Legs, hands, 
and faces were badly scratched and bleeding pro- 
fusely, but they pressed forward in spite of these- 
obstacles. At that moment there came a loud peal 
of thunder, and on looking upward the boys ob- 
served dark clouds filling the heavens, and they 
realized that they were in for a hard. storm, and 
they halted for amoment to debate the best course 
to pursue. 

“It’s a dead cinch,” Don spoke up, that we’U get 
wringing wet if we keep on, and we are too far 
from camp to turn back, besides we don’t want to 
turn back after coming this far. I suggest that 
we build a lean-to as quickly as we can, and that 
wiU shelter us until the storm has passed.” 

This plan carried unanimously and they soon 
found two trees situated about eight feet apart, 
and chopping a small sapling of no value, they 
stretched it from one tree to the other. They then 
found enough dead material which they used as poles 
for the frame work of their shack, and then followed 
the cutting of soft, thick tips of trees for the roof, 
which they thatched to the frame work of poles, and 
lo as snug a shelter as any one would wish was 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


35 


built and completed in a little less than a half hour, 
and that wasn’t a minute too early, for they had 
scarcely seated themselves under its protecting 
roof until the storm broke in all its fury, and the 
rain came down in torrents. It was a hard driving 
rain, but it did not penetrate the improvised shel- 
ter so quickly erected by these four resourceful 
scouts. 

“Now for eats,” Don suggested, and the bunch 
was soon partaking of a noon-day snack which they 
had been thoughtful enough to bring along. 

By two o’clock the storm had passed and they 
again resumed their search for the hidden treasure. 
Their route now led down a steep embankment 
which brought them a few minutes later to another 
creek bed which had dried up. Here they found 
their fifth clew, like unto the second: a large rock on 
which there lay a smaller, and a third rock beside 
these on the right. Don was all excitement, and 
he cried out: 

“Fellers, this is where we turn back towards 
camp. I am almost positive of that. I believe this 
creek bed will lead us in that direction. May kind 
Providence make our search a successful one. This 
way — ” 

“Mebbe not.” 

It was a strange voice which uttered these words, 


36 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


and the boys were craning their necks in all direc- 
tions to find out from whence it came. 

Mebbe not, I sez,” and this time the speaker step- 
ped out from behind a large tree, and to their amaze- 
ment stood Devil Jud Holbrook. The boy.s turned 
pale from fright as might be expected. The old man 
was drenching wet from the recent shower. He car- 
ried a shot gun on his right shoulder, and a fiendish 
expression covered his face. 

“You’ns ez some smart detectives, I must say,” 
he broke out again. “Tse bin kiverin ye ever since 
ye left Fern Bridge ’n nary one of ye as seed or 
heerd me, har, har, har — Oh Lawd.” 

“Sir” — Don replied, “we lay no claims to being 
detectives.” 

“Ez that so. How er bout spies?” 

“We are not spies either, but Boy Scouts playing 
one of our games.” 

“Devilish funny games — this hyar lookin’ fer 
tracks an’ searchin’ behin’ brush piles an’ the lak. 
Call yerself scouts, does ye? Thet’s jest a perlite 
name atter all fer spy. 1 know what ye air doin’ 
hyar, yer spying fer thet cowardly, sneakin’, low 
down hound thet calls his self a sheriff. Haint et 
so?” 

“Emphatically no,” Don promptly replied, “and 
what’s more, I challenge you to prove it.” 

If there was any fear in the boy now it was cer- 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 37 


tainly not evident, and he faced his accuser with 
the courage of a Daniel. 

“Now don’t git sassy,” the old man continued, 
“I’se gotta place fer sich as ye — now ’spose ye turn 
and go ’tother way er while.” 

“No, we won’t,” Don replied defiantly. “We take 
orders from no one this week but our Scoutmaster, 
least of all from a stranger.” 

“I sez fer ther last time, you’ns turn ’n march 
down ther crick bed,” and he raised his gun and 
deliberately pointed it at the boys. Don had heard 
enough about Devil Jud Holbrook to know that it 
was not safe to provoke him too far, so he turned to 
obey the command, but not without protest. As he 
started off he hurled this at the old man: “The 
gun gives you the advantage. You are not playin’ 
the game on the square.” 



38 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


CHAPTER VIL 

PRISONERS, 

Mr. Bedford awaited the return of the treasure 
seekers with unusual interest. He realized it was 
a splendid test of their powers of observation, and 
he was anxious to see who would win out in this 
spirited contest. It was far past the noon hour and 
as yet not a scout had returned, but he remembered 
the hard storm at noon, and he realized that this 
would halt them in their search. Presently he heard 
cheering in the distance, and looking down the road, 
he saw four scouts approaching with the coveted 
treasure. It was Patrol Leader Stockton and his 
aggregation — lucky boys. The scoutmaster hurried 
out to meet them and shook their hands in hearty 
congratulation. 

“Well, ,.boys,” he said, “to the victor belongs the 
spoils, so open ’er up, and eat to your heart’s con- 
tent.” 

They were just in the act of obeying orders when 
they spied Wetzel and his three descending the 
hill opposite camp with a dejected look upon their 
faces. They seemed in no special hurry to reach 
camp for they were witnessing the celebration now 
taking place by the winning team, and they did not 
relish the embarrassment which naturally falls to 
the losers in a contest. But they were game losers. 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


39 


and took their medicine with calm resignation, and 
reported to the scoutmaster that they had reached 
their destination, but not until after the treasure 
had been found, and carried off by Patrol Leader 
Stockton’s team. 

“But,” continued Wetzel, addressing the Scout- 
master, “our team, as well as Don Roberts’ was 
handicapped in this contest as can be plainly seen,” 

“Why so?” quickly asked Mr. Bedford with sur- 
prise. 

“Because Stockton had Fatty Hoover on his team.” 

“WeU, what of it?” 

“Well, Mr. Bedford, you know as well as the rest 
of us guys know that that Fatty Hoover’s got as 
keen a scent for findin’ eats as any setter pup that 
was ever born. Just as soon as I learned that the 
treasure was something to eat I knew it was a sure 
win for Stockton’s team, and good night for the rest 
of us.” 

Mr. Bedford gave a hearty laugh, and then re- 
marked: 

“But it was Stockton, I believe, who unearthed 
the treasure from its hiding place.” 

“No — No,” Stockton interrupted, “you have the 
wrong dope. Fatty was the boy. That’s the gos- 
pel truth.” 

At this remark the whole bunch indulged in a 
good, hearty round of laughter.” 


40 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


By this time the subject of their jests had his 
face buried in the second big slice of luscious melon, 
and he presented a picture of perfect contentment. 

“I can’t understand,” spoke up Mr. Bedford, “why 
Roberts and his bupch have not returned. It is now 
past four o’clock. I trust they have not lost their 
way.” 

“Roberts would be the hardest fellow in this gang 
to lose,” replied Stockton. “I’ll venture to say he 
gave up the water melon hunt for bigger game — 
for instance a Lost Cave, for that guy’s been nutty 
over findin’ that cave ever since you related the 
legend at our campfire the other night. Don’t waste 
any worry on that kid — like the bad penny, he’U 
turn up 0. K.” 

“Surely he doesn’t take that legend seriously, does 
he?” asked Mr. Bedford. 

“Most assuredly. He’s confident in his belief that 
such a cave exists and equally as confident that he’ll 
find it.” 

“Well, all I have to say is that he has a fine im- 
agination.” 

“Yes, and lots of disappointment coming to him 
too,” added the skeptical Timmy Sullivan. 

Night came and stiU Roberts and his companions 
had not shown up, and Mr. Bedford made no effort 
to conceal his anxiety. He found his way to the 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


41 


guide’s home and laid the matter before him, and 
sought his counsel, 

“Well it’s possible for them to have lost their 
way,” the guide replied, “but they would sooner or 
later reach a farm house. I would make no effort 
to search for them tonight, for they are big enough 
to take care of themselves. If they don’t turn up 
by nine o’clock tomorrow we can start a searching 
party for them, going over the route you marked 
out for them in their game. Don’t worry, every- 
thing wiU turn out aU right. I’m sure.” 

Mr. Bedford realized tliat the last part of this 
advice was easier spoken than it was fulfilled, for 
he could not help but worry, knowing that he„ and 
he alone, was responsible for the welfare of the 
twelve scouts now in camp with him. 

Devil Jud Holbrook led his captives down the bar- 
ren creek bed to Tygart River, and then they en- 
tered a small skiff, and rowed across to the opposite 
side where they landed, and started their tramp up 
Big Bend Creek. It was a trying experience for the 
boys, for they were conscious of the fact that they 
were in the hands of a man who had the reputation 
of being an outlaw and a terror to revenue officers. 
They knew no appeal which they might make would 
soften his heart or cause him to show the least mercy. 
Don was the only one of the group not entirely 


42 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


downcast over their unhappy situation. He chatted 
quite cheerily at intervals, and his seeming indif- 
ference to his present plight seemed to annoy Devil 
Jud quite a little, and the old man was moved to 
ask: 

“You dern little chatterbox, don’t you nevah git 
tired er runnin’ thet jib o’ your’n? Shet up ’n 
move ’long faster.” 

Don looked back at him and snapped his eyes as 
he said : 

“I am an American citizen, and I believe in free 
speech.” 

“Ah ye duz, duz ye? Wal thars no free speech fer 
ye on Big Bend.” 

“Do you mean to tell me,” the boy continued, 
“that Big Bend is a separate and distinct country 
from the United States? It does seem so, I must 
admit, from the manner in which we are being 
treated. Your rule here would make the Kaiser 
green with envy.” 

“Did’n I teU ye to shet up,” Devil Jud snapped 
back. “No more argufyin' now. Ef ye opens thet 
trap o’ your’n agin I’U put some lead in yer.” 

Don did cease speaking with his lips but not with 
his eyes, for they fairly flashed fire at the old man 
in a manner quite defiant. 

They soon came in sight of a two story frame 
house, the first of its kind they had seen since their 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


43 


arrival on Tygart, and on reaching the gate, they 
were ordered by Devil Jud to turn in. As they did 
so they got a faint whiff of the supper being pre- 
pared inside, and this revived their drooping spirits 
and heartened them quite a bit. Devil Jud seated 
himself on the door step and began wiping the per- 
spiration from his brow. He then cautioned the 
boys not to leave the yard while he washed his face 
and hands; that if they did, they did so at the peril 
of their lives. He went into the little kitchen, and 
the boys stretched themselves out on the grass to 
rest, for they were quite weary from their day’s 
tramp, and had no desire whatever for any more 
hiking. They were quite content to remain as guests 
of Devil Jud for the time being at any rate. 



44 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


CHAPTER VIII. 

THE ESCAPE. 

Of course Devil Jud’s prime reason for kidnapping” 
the scouts was to secure information, and the old 
fox hit upon a shrewd plan to secure this. When 
his wife had announced supper he ignored the boys 
entirely and sat down to the table in plain view 
where he. was certain they could see. him. Don 
nudged Davidson as he said: 

“Man alive, don’t we get in on this? Gee-wiUikins 
this is as bad as a German Prison Camp. Guess they’ll 
be feedin’ us weak potato soup.” 

He had scarcely finished speaking when he heard 
a noise at the big gate, and he saw a boy enter rid- 
ing a gray mule. He recognized him at once as the 
mail boy, who so rudely awakened them that morn- 
ing. The boys realized that his story would not 
help them any in their present predicament. The 
boy seemed surprised at their presence in his own 
yard, but he said nothing and rode on thru to the 
barn. 

Having finished his supper Devil Jud walked out 
to where the boys were lying, and addressed them 
in somewhat gentler tones than he had previously. 
He began: 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


45 


“In thet air kitchen’s a powful fine supper fer 
you’ns ef ye kin teU ther truth. What sez ye?” 

Don raised himself up in a sitting position, and 
answered the old man’s query: 

Sir, we try at all times to speak the truth. Our 
first scout law is trustworthiness.” He need not 
have wasted his breath in making this statement, 
for down right honesty was written in his eyes, but 
it could not be seen by such as Devil Jud Holbrook. 

“Wal thet air bein’ ther case I’d lack to ax ye er 
few pinted questions.” 

“Sir, I’ll try my best to answer you promptly and 
truthfully,” Don replied. 

“Ain’t et er fack thet you’ns wuz bro’t down hyar 
by thet sneakin’ cur of a Ratliff fer spyin’ pup- 
poses?” 

“Indeed we were not,” Don answered. “Pray tell 
me what and who there is to spy down here?” 

It could be seen that the old man was getting an- 
gry and he blurted out with a kind of snort: 

“I knowed ye lie er bout it. Ther truf ez all 
thet’ll save yer skins — so speak ther truf.” 

“Sir, I have told you the truth. I cannot lie in 
order that I might get my supper as hungry as I 
am. Neither can I lie in order that I might se- 
cure my freedom.” 

“Ets er lie. Pap.” 


46 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


It was Bub Holbrook, the mail boy speaking. He 
had just stepped up in time to' hear their conver- 
sation. 

“Et wuz jest this mornin’ thet I seed Old Ratliff 
down at ther caves. I wuz tof thet he slept thar 
last night.'" 

Devil Jud was all aflame now and shaking like a 
leaf. 

“Ez thet so?” he asked of Don. 

‘‘Sir — I still stick to the truth. A Mr. Ratcliffe 
did stay at the home of the guide last night and I 
was told that he was the sheriff of the county. 
But I still insist that our trip down here has no con- 
nection with him.” 

“Cose ye’d say thet,” the old man replied, “you’ns 
lied enuf already ter hang ye.” 

No doubt the old man thought he’d starve them 
into submission, for there was no further mention 
of supper, and the boys were given a pallet on the 
floor in the same room where he, his wife, and Bub 
slept. There was very little opportunity for the 
prisoners to escape. AU save Don were soon fast 
asleep and the moon was shedding a golden flood 
of light into the room. Shortly after midnight Don 
noticed Devil Jud rise up in bed and make a thor- 
ough survey of the room. He then lay down again, 
and in a few minutes sat up again and took a second 
glance around the room. This time he stepped out 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


47 


of bed, and began to dress quietly. He then tip- 
toed to the door, opened it, and passed out, Don lay 
awake fully another hour and still there were no 
signs of the old man’s return. Just after arising 
the next morning the boys spied him coming up 
the road with gun slung across his shoulder, and 
mumbling to himself. He spent the greater part 
of the night at some place other than home, but 
where? That was a mystery. He approached the 
house without a word of greeting to any one, and 
passed into the little kitchen. Bub was saddling 
his mule preparatory to leaving on his mail route. 
As he swept past them in a trot he cried out: 

“Hey, fellers, air ye hungry? ” 

This taunt rendered Don like a mad bull, and he 
started in a run after his persecutor. He was think- 
ing: “If the worst is to come let it come now, I 
have taken all I’m going to take off of these ruf- 
fians.” Just as he got within a few feet of Bub, 
the latter gave the mule a cut with the switch he 
flourished in his hand, and fired this parting shot 
at Don: “I’ll tend ter ye ter-night when I git back,” 
and he was off again in a canter. 

There was at least one person in the Holbrook 
home who could lay claim to being humane, and 
that was the wife of Devil Jud. She demonstrated 
this fact near the noon-hour that morning when she 
slipped the boys several good-sized sandwiches, and 


48 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


a hand full of cookies. It was while the old man was 

$ 

repairing a fence just above the house. The boys 
would then and there have made a grand break for 
liberty had it not been that the old man had his 
trusty gun always in reach. They knew he was 
none too good to shoot and they knew also that he 
had the reputation of shooting straight. So they 
took no chances. 

Another day passed, and another night had come. 
Just before turning in for the night Don called his 
three comrades around him and told them that he 
had decided to make a dash for liberty that night, 
and cautioned them not to fall asleep under any 
circumstances. 

“The old man got up near midnight last night,” 
he said, “and went out, and was gone the rest of the 
night. I am confident that he has a still near by, 
and that’s where he hikes to. I am carrying this 
stick to bed” — and he opened his shirt where he 
had it concealed and showed it to the boys, “and 
when the old man goes out tonight. I’m goin’ to 
crawl to the door and shove the latch up with this 
stick. Then you fellers be ready to follow me. 
Crawl out and carry your shoes in your hands. 
That sleepy-headed Bub will never hear us. Keep 
a cool head and don’t get excited.” 

It was not long until the old man ordered them 
inside, and all were soon in their bunks. Each boy 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


49 


lay there on the floor with wide open eyes, and 
hearts thumping with excitement. All were wait- 
ing for the old man’s exit from the room. Those 
first few hours of the night seemed an eternity, 
and Don was beginning to despair. He could not 
bear the thought of remaining another day in this 
place of torture. He wondered what Mr, Bedford 
and the scouts thought of their prolonged absence 
from camp. He knew it was giving the scoutmas- 
ter much concern and probably their parents had 
already been notified of their disappearance. Such 
thoughts as these were tripping thru his mind when 
all at once he heard a movement in the bed occu- 
pied by Devil Jud, and he saw the old man rise up 
as he had on the first night and take a long sweep- 
ing glance around the room. A few minutes later 
he was out on the floor and dressing. This the boys 
witnessed with interest and no little excitement. 
The hour of freedom for them had come, and they 
waited with nervous suspense. The old man was 
soon dressed, and before passing out of the room, 
came and stood over the boys to be sure they were 
sound asleep. All of them faked sleep like real 
actors and Don even emitted one or two vigorous 
snores much to the satisfaction of the old man, but 
it came near queering their little game, for the other 
three boys were on the very verge of laughing out- 
right. Being convinced that they were dead to 


50 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


the world Devil Jud quietly opened the door and 
was gone. The other three boys were now impa- 
tiently waiting for Don to make the first move, 
but Don was in no special hurry. He wanted Devil 
Jud to get a safe distance from the house before he 
stirred. Five minutes later Don began to crawl 
slowly towards the door at a snail’s pace. Three 
pairs of eyes were watching his every move with 
the closest scrutiny. Pushing the latch up with the 
stick he carried, the door slowly opened, and he 
passed out with apparent ease. He waited for his 
companions who were not long in making their exit. 
With cautious step they left the house, passed thru 
the gate, and out into the road. All the while not 
a word had been spoken. Don had assumed lead- 
ership and the other three boys now followed closely 
at his heels. They had perfect confidence in his 
ability to get them out of their present dilemma, 
and they let him direct their every move. It was 
a perfect night. The moon was shining with un- 
usual brilliance. The had only traveled a short dis- 
tance when they spied a taU, angular figure making 
the turn in the road, and coming in their direction. 
It was the form of one who had become all too 
familiar to them these last few days, and there was 
the ever-present gun across his right shoulder. 
The boys dropped down behind a clump of bushes 
to hide, and as the approaching footsteps drew 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


51 


nearer there was a choking sensation in their 
throats, and their hearts were thumping like gas- 
oline engines. The old man was mumbling as usual, 
and they caught this much. ‘T alius fergit that 
derned skiff key. Hain’t got no mem’ry no more.” 
After he had passed Don whispered for the first 
time, “Fellers it’s up to us to skin out of here as 
fast as our legs can take us. When he discovers 
that we are gone, there’ll be something doing. Let’s 
go.” 

With that they cut thru the field at a sprinter’s 
gait, never once looking back. 

“We’ll not cross the river here,” Don continued. 
We’ll run all the way down to the bridge and cross 
at Cave Branch, the same route we took when we 
hiked over here.” 

They were now approaching the cabin where 
lived the woman who gave them shelter from the 
rain on the day of their arrival at the caves. 

“I’m going to stop here,” Don said, as they drew 
up at the front gate. 

“Why those people are still asleep,” replied Da- 
vidson, “It’s hardly two o’clock yet.” 

“Well I’ll hang around here. There’s plenty of 
places to hide if old Devil Jud goes to the trouble of 
following us.” 

The Roth twins protested and insisted on going 
immediately to camp. The matter was finally com- 


52 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


promised by allowing them to continue on their way 
and Don and Davidson remaining where they were. 



THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


53 


CHAPTER IX. 

DON USES HIS FISTS. 

Near daylight Don and Davidson heard voices 
within the cabin, and they ventured to the door and 
knocked. The old woman answered and seemed 
quite taken back to have callers at such an early 
hour. They soon apprised her of their experiences 
the past two days and asked if she would get them 
a little breakfast, offering to pay her generously 
for her trouble. 

“Thet I will,” she replied, ’n thar’ll be no charge. 
So thet devil’s imp cot yer, did ’e? You’ns lucky not 
to ha’ bin shot, ’n thet’s ther Lawd’s truf.” 

The boys were ravenously hungry and ate the 
simple meal of fat back and corn pone with a real 
relish. After they had finished Don betrayed the 
real motive of his visit when he began again to quiz 
her about Lost Cave. 

“Now, sonny, she answered, “I alius hear’n tell 
thet et was up Dry Branch, a leetle crick dried up 
now, 'n leadin’ up to ther Big Bridge.” 

“You mean Fern Bridge?” 

“Naw — not Fern Bridge. Thet is close by, but 
er ’nuther bigger bridge et ther very head of Dry 
Branch. I’se hear’n tell thet et is up thar some 
place.” 

Don beamed with excitement as he turned to Da- 


54 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


vidson, and said: “Davy, that’s the very creek 
bed where old Devil Jud caught us. Had we not 
been held up by him it’s ten to one our signs would 
have brought us eventually to this bridge. 

Don felt that this was certainly a clew worth 
while, and he would surely follow it up, even if it 
did mean the possibility of being captured the sec- 
ond time by Devil Jud Holbrook. 

Thanking his hostess for her hospitality, the boys 
bade her good by, and set their faces once more to- 
ward camp. It seemed a perfect morning. The sun 
was just beginning to peep up over the Cliifs of 
Tygart, and the air vibrant with the songs of 
birds. 

Just as they were approaching the bridge which 
spans Tygart River they heard some one approach- 
ing from behind, and turning, whom should they see 
but Bub Holbrook astride his gray mule looking 
daggers at them. 

“Do you suppose he is after us?” Davidson asked. 

“No,” Don replied, “he’s starting on his mail route, 
but if he’s bent on trouble he won’t have to go a 
step farther.” 

They noticed that Bub had stopped his mule, 
climbed down, and was hitching him to one of the 
large iron beams of the bridge. Don and Davidson 
came to a halt, turned and awaited his approach. 

He was as pale as a ghost and eyes snapping like 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


55 


two turtles. Both fists were clenched and a real 
fiendish expression now covered his face. 

“Ye leetle devils,” he began, “so ye sneaked off, 
did ye like dirty cowards. My ole man sed I must 
kill ye like snakes. I warns yer now, Fse goin’ ter 
lick ye.” 

Both boys began to prepare for battle, but Don 
pushed Davidson aside lightly as he said: 

“Never mind Davy, this is my scrap. We’ll give 
him a square deal, one at a time.” His shirt was 
soon unbuttoned, and he flung it to the ground. 

Had Bub Holbrook only have known that he was 
now challenging one of the best junior boxers that 
ever came out of Lawton Municipal Gym, he would 
have thought twice before provoking a scrap. But 
Bub did not even know that such institutions as 
gymnasiums existed. He thought all city boys were 
weaklings and cowards who had flabby muscles and 
limeless sp'ines, so he entered the fray with an over- 
abundance of confidence, thinking that brute 
strength was the only requisite necessary for win- 
ning a scrap. Don was actually smiling. (But the 
fellow who smiles in a bout is usually the fellow who 
can keep a cool head.) 

Thus without more ado they faced each other: 
Bub Holbrook, descendant of a long line of mountain 
feudists, and Don Roberts, whose forbears were cav- 
aliers of the aristocratic south. The contrast was 
interesting. 


56 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


For a moment they sparred watchfully, then Bub 
Holbrook feinted Don into an opening, in that same 
moment his fist shot out and Don fell his full length 
on the bridge, but he was on his feet again as quickly 
as he had fallen, and came up grinning. 

“Let me at him,” Davidson interposed. 

“I don’t need any help. I tell you this is my 
scrap,” Don answered with impatience. 

“Do it again,” Don was saying to Bub now. “I 
dare you to do it just one more time.” 

“I'll kill ye ef I do,” the boy replied. 

“Well go on and kill, I dare you, and double-dare 
you.” 

Once more came the light tread of quick moving 
feet, once more Bub Holbrook feinted cunningly — 
once more his fist shot out, but this time it missed 
its mark, for ducking the blow, Don landed two real 
stingers on the country boy’s ribs, which sickened 
him, and sent him staggering back against the side 
of the bridge. Don danced away again light and 
buoyant as a cork. 

“Stan’ up ’n fight lak a man,” cried out Bub in des- 
peration. 

“Why I am.” 

“Yer not — ^hit et me squar’ from the shoulder lak 
a man, an’ cut out thet dancin’ and prancin’.” 

“Just as you like,” Don replied, “but if I do you 
are going to fall and fall hard.” 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


57 


“The very idee — thar ain’t any two of ye as kin 
floor me,” the boy replied with increasing anger. 

“I will then,” and Don’s forward pass missed its 
mark. Bub came back strong and brought the blood 
from Don’s left cheek, and he staggered back to the 
middle of the bridge. 

' Then came a rush of feet, the panting hiss of 
breath, the shock of vicious blows, and Bub Hol- 
brook, the bully and braggart, threw up his arms, 
staggered back against the side railing of the bridge, 
and went down with a crash. 

For a moment Don stood wide-eyed, and panting 
like a spaniel. Then he began rubbing the blood 
from his cheek, and turning to Davidson, said: “I 
did not provoke this fight, it was forced upon me, 
and I am sorry I had to knock him down, but I do 
not feel that I have yet broken my Scout Oath and 
Law.” 

By this time Bub had regained his wits, and 
slowly rising to his feet, mumbled out something 
which savored of a threat, climbed on his mule and 
was gone in a jiffy. 


58 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


CHATER X. 

THE SEARCH STARTS. 

The boys were given a right royal welcome on their 
return to camp, for the Roth twins, who had pre- 
ceded them had already broken the news of their 
capture, and the peculiar strategy used in making 
their escape. Then it was that they learned from 
Mr. Bedford he and the scouts together with the 
guide, had been searching the hills for a day and 
a half for them, thinking they had wandered off into 
the wilds of Smoky Valley and were lost. Not once 
did they entertain the idea that the boys had been 
so unfortunate as to fall into the hands of Devil 
Jud Holbrook. 

Don and Davidson then told of the little affair 
with Bub Holbrook on the bridge. 

“If he was the aggressor as you say he was,” re- 
plied Mr. Bedfprd, “you had a perfect right to defend 
yourself. The true scout never plays the part of a 
bully; he never forces a fight. At the same time 
he never lets anybody run over him. I’d be greatly 
humiliated indeed if I thought any scout in my 
troop would be such a sniveling coward that he would 
let a ruffian and bully like this Holbrook boy im- 
pose upon him. Although he got his face badly 
punched, yet rU venture to say he has a higher re- 
gard for you scouts right now than he would have 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


59 


had had you have taken to the tall timbers like cow- 
ards. I am also glad that one fellow was sufficient 
to teach him a lesson he greatly needed.” 

Don, after Mr. Bedford had finished, told the 
Scoutmaster that he and Davidson wanted to gain 
his consent to go on a little expedition which would 
take them away from camp several days. He then 
told of his conversation with the woman on the hill 
about Lost Cave. Mr. Bedford laughed outright, and 
placing his hand upon Don’s shoulder, asked: 

“Roberts, do you really take this Lost Cave 
legend seriously?” 

“Why sir, the existence of that cave is substan- 
tiated by stronger evidence than mere legend.” 

“How so?” 

“Why every native, with but one exception, that 
I have talked to about it are unanimous in their be- 
lief that it exists.” 

“Why then,” queried the Scoutmaster, “is it not 
as much of a reality, or as much in evidence as these 
other wonderful caverns we have visited?” 

“Well, sir, I give the same theory that you did in 
relating the legend: that large boulders falling at 
the entrance closed it up. I have been told since 
coming here that there was a period of fifteen years 
that these caves were not visited because the farm 
here was tenantless. It may have been during this 


60 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


interim that this particular cave was lost track 
of.” 

It could be plainly seen that Don’s words were 
backed up by honest conviction, and an uncompro- 
mising faith. 

“All right then,” the Scoutmaster continued, 
“you’ll have to admit that such an expedition has 
its dangers as long as Devil Jud Holbrook runs at 
large; to fall into his hands a second time won’t be 
any picnic. Have you considered this?” 

“Yes sir, we have.” 

“Don’t you think you had better recruit more 
fellows for the trip?” 

“Absolutely no — with more than two, there is en- 
tirely too much talking. Davy and I have outlined 
our plans, and you can rest assured we will never 
fall a second time time into Devil Jud’s hands.” 

“All right, Roberts, I give my consent because I 
know of your tracking ability as weU as that of 
Davidson. If you are gone very long we will come 
direct to Devil Jud’s after you,” and he laughed. 

“Good idea,” responded Don, “so we’ll start this 
afternoon.” 

The rest of the morning was spent by Don and 
Davidson in sleep as they had gotten no rest the 
night before. Shortly after noon mess they were 
busy with their preparations, which attracted no 
little interest from the rest of the campers, who 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


61 


now gathered around with a curious expression. 
Naturally the boys were ridiculed by some as fool- 
ish adventurers. Others declared that they would 
be shot by moonshiners. 

“Well, you can call us anything you like,” replied 
Don, but we are going to have a lot of fun out of the 
experience, and if we are so unfortunate as to get 
plugged by moonshiners it’s our own skins, so you 
fellows need lose no sleep. We’ll do all the worry- 
ing.” 

They had packed their haversacks with a goodly 
supply of provisions. Strapped to them were a 
double roll of blankets, cooking kits, axes, some first 
aid material, and an acetyline camp lamp apiece. 

All the afternoon it had been hot and sultry. The 
clouds hung low and were threatening rain. Just 
as the two boys were strapping their haversacks on 
preparatory to leaving, the low tapping sound of 
rain drops could be heard among the leaves over- 
head. But this did not halt them, for the route they 
had mapped out led them over the hill directly fac- 
ing camp to Smoky Valley, which is honeycombed 
with small caverns. Bidding their Scoutmaster and 
scout companions adieu, they struck out across the 
creek, then up the hillside, and were soon lost in 
the thick-set wods. After striking the well beaten 
path which led thru the forest they were hardly 
aware of the fact that it was raining, for the giant 


62 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


oaks spread over them like a great canopy protect- 
ing them from the summer’s shower. The air was 
filled with a faint, cool, sodden odor as of stirred 
forest depths, and the boys breathed it deep into 
their lungs as they tramped along. Although the 
afternoon was only half gone it was growing dark 
in the forest due to the storm clouds overhead. The 
wind was increasing. The last gust had been pre- 
ceded by an ominous roaring down the hillside, and 
the rain now began to filter through the leafy dome 
above. 

“There’s Smoky Valley now,” Don exclaimed with 
a flourish of the hand, as they came to a little clear- 
ing in the forest, “but I did not know there was a 
house in the entire vaUey, but I see there is,” and 
he pointed to adim but perfectly defined cabin in the 
distance. 

“Let’s avoid it if possible for I see it has occu- 
pants, smoke is coming from the chimney — these 
people somehow or other have a sort of grape-vine 
telegraphy out here in these. hiUs, and when a stran- 
ger is passing thru they send the word on ahead. I 
don’t know how it’s done, but one thing is certain 
we don’t want one, Jud Holbrook, to know we are 
on the path again, or there might be another little 
hair-raising experience for us.” 

As night crept up from the valley that stormy 
afternoon the little cabin was at first quite blotted 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


63 


out by wind and rain, but presently re-appeared as 
could be seen by the faint flicker of a light from its 
window, 

“Here’s a pipperino of a cave right here,” ex- 
claimed Davidson. Let’s turn in.” 

“Too close to that house,” cautioned Don — “Those 
people would see our campfire in a jiffy. We don’t 
want any abrupt ending to this trip if we can help 
it.” 

He had scarcely spoken when the air was rent 
with a scream that brought both boys rigidly to 
attention. 

“Oh Lawd, ets kilt me — ets kilt me.” 

The same voice cried out again: 

“Oh Lawd have mussy, have mussy.” 

“That’s some one in distress,” remarked Don. 

“What shall we do?” asked Davidson. 

Do what all true scouts should do, Davy. Go over 
and see if we can be of any assistance. So it seems 
we’ll have to get acquainted whether or no.” 

With that they turned out of the woods, cut 
straight thru the field which skirted the woods to 
where the house stood. Here they found a boy near 
their own age rolling on the little porch in front 
apparently in great agony. Occasionally he would 
draw his right knee up against his breast and hug 
it tightly, emitting at the same time one of those 
blood curdling screams. Close by was a woman whom 


64 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


Don and Davidson took to be his mother. She was 
wringing her hands in a sort of helpless desperation, 
while a girl who appeared to be older than the un- 
fortunate boy was crying, “Pap, aye Pap,” at the 
top of her voice. Her cries intermingled with the 
piteous groans of the boy were not long in reaching 
the ears of a man who was now descending the hill 
at the rear of the cabin in double-quick time. 

It was at this juncture that two strangers, Don 
and Davidson, were observed. 

“Pray what’s the trouble,” inquired Don with 
deep concern. 

“Oh Lawdy, Lawdy, he’s been hit by Peter,” the 
mother replied. 

Immediately Don thought of a bull dog, and his 
eyes sought for it. Both boys fortified themselves 
with good-sized rocks. The old man rushed up, and 
learning the trouble, cried out: 

“Get the sperits — yer wastin’ time. Quick with 
ther sperits, old woman.” 

“Ah I see,” Don ventured, “a snake bite. Sir, I 
can give all the help possible until you can get a 
doctor here.” 

“Naw — Naw,” the old man replied — “Dicker, 
sperits ez all thet kin save him.” 

“Can’t you see his leg swelling?” asked Don with 
some impatience. “All the liquor in the county 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


65 


couldn’t counteract that poison when once it gets 
in this boy’s system. Let me at him.” 

He threw his haversack off and fell at the boy’s 
side. 

The old man brushed him rudely aside, for the old 
woman was now running to him with a jug in one 
hand and a tin cup in the other. The anxious and 
deeply grieved woman was so nervous that just as 
she approached the old man’s side, she stumbled, fell, 
and the jug hit a large rock and crashed into noth- 
ingness. 

“Oh by ,” and the old man raised up on his 

knees, and finally finished his sentence: “0 Lawd 
fergive, I cum nigh sinnin’ — Oh Lawd I did.” 

By this time Don and Davy were ripping the boy’s 
trouser leg open. Quicker than the time it takes to 
relate, they had applied a strongly bound tourni- 
quet, thus shutting off the possibility of the poison 
permeating his system. 

“Have you a razor?” 

“Yas — ”, the old man answered with a drawl. 
But ye ain’t cuttin’ ’im open, air .ye?” 

“No,” replied Don, “it’s to make this wound bleed 
a little freer. I don’t like t6 use my knife as I have 
been using it for cooking purposes.” 

The old man obeyed promptly and soon Don had 
the blood spurting out more freely, and then he 
pulled his little first aid kit from his haversack, and 


66 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


in a little while had a healing antiseptic applied to 
the wound. The boy seemed apparently free from 
pain. 

“Now, sir, I have done all a Boy Scout can do. 
This I hope will be sufficient until you can get a 
doctor here.” 

“Wal thet’ll be atter midnight, fer it’s nigh on 
ter ten miles whar Dock Turner lives, but I’ll saddle 
ther ole mare, ’n git him hyar ez soon as possible. 
But afore I goes who am I ter thank fer this hyar 
favor which is , suttinly providential. Ther good 
Lawd sont you’ns hyar ez Good Samaritans, ’n jest 
ter think I’se erbout ter tarn yer away.” 

“Oh, we are just two scouts camping near here,” 
Don replied courteously. “Our motto is, ‘Be Pre- 
pared.’ Our training is such that makes us ready 
to meet any ordinary emergency. I am very glad 
we could be of help tb this boy.” 

“Wal, boys — I’m whut’s known ’n these hyar parts 
ez a circuit rider — mebbe ye don’ git me — a preach- 
er man, ’n I lives daily ’n ther fear uv ther Lawd. 
Don’t think coz I wanted ter giv’ ther lad sperits 
that I wuz enterin’ inter temptation — Naw sur — 
Naw sur — Ev’ry pious Kaintuckian keeps jest a 
leetle sperits on hand fer purely scriptural reasons, 
boys. Saint Paul said, ye know to take a leetle fer 
yer stummick’s sake, ’n then we’uns mus’ hev it fei 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


67 


snake bites. Ye know snakes air plentiful in these 
hyar hills.” 

The old man raised his hands in a kind of bene- 
diction, turned, reached for a bridle which hung on 
the porch, and started up the hill to get his bony 
steed which was grazing near by. 


68 THE THEATRE OF LOST CAVE 


CHAPTER XL 

THE DAILY GOOD TURN. 

The boy was carried into the house by Don and 
Davidson, and placed upon a bed which occupied 
one corner of the dingy cabin. The only light was 
a smoking oil lamp which was minus a chimney, and 
the scent from it was filling the room with its sick- 
ening odor. They had scarcely placed their charge 
on the bed until he was fast asleep, and seemingly 
free from all pain. The scouts then turned to go, 
but the old woman halted them: 

“Naw — I won’t hear’n tell of you’ns leavin’ now. 
We’uns hain’t got much home hyar, but sech ez et 
is, yer welcome to et. Ets gittin ’ dark an’ bein’ 
strangers in these hyar parts, ye’U be bound ter git 
-lost, ’sides ye have saved this hyar boy’s life, mebbe, 
an’ we’uns ’d be moughty ungrateful lak to tarn yer 
away atter all thet.” 

Don explained that they were prepared to pitch 
camp any place, and had thought of occupying the 
little cave near the edge of the woods. 

“Naw — ,” she continued, “thet place air full’er 
snakes. Jest make up yer minds to stay hyar. I’ll 
git you’ns a leetle bite. We’uns has had our sup- 
per.” 

“All right, ma’am,” Don replied, “we’ll accept your 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


69 


hospitality and spend the night here, but only on 
the condition that you let us get our own supper. 
I see you have a good blaze in the fire-place there, 
and we have plenty of provisions, so with your per- 
mission we will get our own supper.” 

The proposition of two boys cooking their own 
suppers seemed a ludicrous one to the old woman, 
and she gave a hearty chuckle in response to it. 
But the boys finally won out, and kneeling down 
before the huge fire-place, they were soon busy in 
their preparations for the meal. 

The old woman now came to the side of the bed 
where the boy was sleeping, and stroking his hair, 
turned to Don and Davy as she remarked quite pa- 
thetically: 

“He ain’t our’n.” 

“You mean he isn’t your own son,” Don replied. 

“Naw— he ain’t our’n et all. Dunno much erbout 
’im. Jest happened in hyar one night lack you’ns 
has, ’n axed ef we’uns could’n tek him in. Pore boy’s 
feet wuz sore, ’n he so tired lak and hongry. Et 
wuz last spring ’n ther ole man wuz plantin’ corn. 
He wuz a sight 'of help fer a youngster, ’n we all 
tuck er lackin’ ter him. Bin hyar all summer, ’n wuz 
calculatin’ on leavin’ tomorrer. We’uns begged him 
to stay hyar, but naw he’s a roaving’ disposition, ’n 
he had his bundle all did up,” and she pointed to a 


70 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


small roll of clothing on the floor on the opposite 
side of the room. 

“Hasn’t he any relatives?” Don asked. 

“Yas— et wuz er mean step-father thet keeps him 
er way from hum, so he sez, but he’s nevah breath- 
ed his name. Jest calls himself ‘Ches.’ Purty rough 
lak, but he’s gutter good heart. Everything tecks 
ter him. Thet rattler thet bit him followed him 
’round jest lak er dog er cat er any other pet would. 
Nevah seed er snake do it afore, ’n he even named 
the varmint, Peter. My ole man wanted ter kill et, 
fer he ’lowed et would bite ’im, but he begged so ter 
spar’ et . Wish now he had kilt et,” she said regret- 
fully. 

The boys listened attentively to the old woman’s 
story, and this little glimpse into the life of the 
rough mountain lad was of more than passing in- 
terest to them. They had their bacon fried and 
were now toasting some bread over the red hot 
coals, when Ches raised up out of the bed on one 
elbow, took a survey of the room, gave a vigorous 
sniff, and then yelled at the top of his voice: 

“I’m hongry.” 

He then lay down again to wait developments, but 
as there seemed to be no unusual activity on the 
part of the occupants of the room to appease his 
ravenous appetite, he raised up again, and cried out 
even louder than before: 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


71 


“I’m hongry.’’' 

This time his declaration was embellished with 
oaths. It seemed to get quick results also, for the 
old woman hurried to his side, and laying her hand 
tenderly on his head said: 

“Now, Ches, you’s had yore supper — you’s not 
hongry.” 

“Yes I am,” he cried out— “I want some ’er thet 
bacon ’n grease.” He emphasized this request with 
another volley of oaths. 

Don now arose from the fire-place, walked over to 
the bed, and taking the boy by the wrist, not rough- 
ly, but firmly, said: 

“Look here, young man, you’ve been mighty close 
to the jumping off place to be using such language 
as that. It would sound a whole lot better to hear 
you offering up a little prayer of thanksgiving.” 

A scowl covered Ches’ face like a cloud on the 
horizon. He squared his jaw, jerked his arm away 
from Don, and then asked with a sort of hiss: 

“Who is you?” 

“Me? Just an ordinary fellow like you, minus 
the cussing.” 

“Too good ter cuss, air ye?” 

“No — not too good,” Don replied good-naturedly, 
“just too decent.” 

The old woman did not give Ches an opportunity 
to prolong the unpleasant argument, for she began 


72 


THE TREASURE OF LUST CAVE 


to shame him for his ingratitude after all the scouts 
had done for him that afternoon. It had the desiied 
effect, for a look of shame now crept over the boy’s 
face, and he said in somewhat calmer tone: 

“Wal — he tried ter stop me from cussin — no’un 
ever tried et afore.” 

“Well — we’ll forget it,” Don chimed in, “and I’ll 
see that you get your fill of bacon.” 

With that he handed him two good-sized sand- 
wiches, which he was soon devouring, and Don was 
perfectly willing to forgive him for his profanity, 
as he witnessed the smile of contentment now illu- 
minating his countenance. 

Before an hour had elapsed Ches had warmed up 
to his two companions considerably, and was telling 
them of his experience with Peter, the pet rattler. 
They were curious to know how he had escaped the 
fangs of the venomous thing as long as he had. 

“I wuz er trainin' ’im aller summer most. Et’s 
easy, ef yer knows how. We fust mek him strike his 
pizen out on er stick. Atter he strikes four times he 
hain’t go any pizen left. Then ye kin do anything 
wif ’im ye wants ter, ’n he knows et.” 

Don had made quite a study of poisonous snakes 
himself, and he knew what the boy said was true. 
He knew this truth from a scientific standpoint: 
that connected with each rattlesnake’s fangs were 
little glands in which poison was formed. Pressure 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


73 


on the glands at the time the snake strikes squirts 
the poison into the wound. These fangs are soon re- 
placed with new ones, so that a poisonous snake for 
a short time is rendered harmless, but only for a 
sort time. 

“Well, he got you after all, didn’t he?” Don asked 
with a smile, 

“Yas — al cause I got keerless. I played with ther 
blamed thing all summer, ’n he ’peared afeard uv 
me ’till ter-day. Lawd, I hopes et don’t kill me. My 
laig seems ter be gitin’ numb lak.” 

“I am glad you mentioned it. I’ll loosen the tourni- 
quet just the least bit.” 

This he did but only for an instant. It seemed 
to him the doctor would never come, but his anxiety 
was relieved just a few minutes before the midnight 
•hour, when in walked the old man and the physician, 
both dripping with rain. A hasty examination 
was made of the wound by the doctor. All the while 
the old nlan was bemoaning the fact that the “sper- 
its had been wasted.” The doctor turned, and fac- 
ing him said: 

“These young Boy Scouts have demonstrated very 
forcibly the benefits derived from their training. 
They have done admirably and I am glad to say 
saved the lad’s life. Let me say further that it is 
a mistaken idea that filling up on whiskey will cure 
snake bite. It adds poison to the system rather 


74 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


than counteracts it. There is only one more thing 
that I can do that the boys haven’t done, but that is 
a treatment known only by a study of medical 
science, and is not apart of first aid. But the credit 
of saving the boy’s life goes to these two young 
scouts, for their simple tourniquet kept the poison 
from permeating his system.” 

It would be hard to describe Ches’ expression as 
these words fell from the lips of the physician. His 
eyes were moist, and if there had been ingratitude 
in his heart, his eyes failed to reveal it. He wiped 
the big tears from his eyes on his faded shirt sleeve, 
then slowly lifted his right hand and grasped Don’s 
hand in a firm grip. He then stretched out his left 
hand towards Davidson, who took it in both his, and 
each scout as they thus stood experienced a thrill 
such as comes only to a Boy Scout who has done his 
daily good turn, and who wishes no further compen- 
sation than the joy which comes as the result of 
helping others. 



THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


75 


CHAPTER XII. 

A NARROW ESCAPE. 

The next day found the two adventurers a good 
five miles from the scene of their exciting experi- 
ences of the day before. They were now enthusias- 
tically searching for Lost Cave. It had become a 
passion with them, and not a cliff, nor an opening in 
the hillside was missed. They had now reached the 
little trail which led up over the hiU to the Big 
Bridge, the classic name being, “Bridge of Sighs.” 
They were soon lost in a dense forest, and the great 
mass of underbrush rendered the trail hard to fol- 
low. The woods also abounded with large rocks 
which were literally covered with the most beautiful 
variety of ferns. Suddenly they came upon a sight 
which thriUed and stirred every fibre of their being, 
and they stood speechless in a kind of reverential 
awe before the spectacle. They were taking their 
first look at the Big Bridge, another natural span 
much greater in height and rustic beauty than even 
Fern Bridge. They knew now that they were not 
lost, and that from henceforth their route would 
lead down Dry Branch. But before resuming their 
tramp they climbed to the top of the great bridge, 
where they ate a hastily prepared meal. 

“Caution is our watchword from now on,” re- 


76 


THE TREA^RE OF LOST CAVE 


marked Don as they struck the Dry Branch trail. 
“We are now dangerously near the haunts of our 
friend, Devil Jud, I fear. So as we keep our eye 
skinned for Lost Cave, let’s also keep it skinned 
for him. A second capture isn’t to my liking, be- 
sides I don’t want to have my search interfered 
with.” 

What had once been a mountain brooklet was now 
a dried up creek bed, and the hiking was anything 
but a pleasant experience. Certainly a very tire- 
some one, and the boys had. to rest every few min- 
utes. As they journeyed on they discovered the 
creek bed getting more narrow, and the hills clos- 
ing in upon them from both sides. As Don glanced 
to his right he noticed on the hillside just above, 
an opening of considerable size. A large tree had 
been uprooted, and had fallen midway across the 
opening with its gaunt, dead limbs obscuring much 
of the entrance. His heart leaped at the sight. He 
had exploTed other openings during the day, but 
none gave him the thrill that this one did. He 
cried out with the enthusiasm of a discoverer: 
“There is Lost Cave”, and he threw his arms around 
his lone companion in great glee. The boys climbed 
the hillside with great expectancy, and when half- 
way up sat down on the dead trunk of a tree to 
rest. But here their attention was arrested to 
something more alarming. Their quick ears, at- 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


77 


tuned like animals to all woodland sounds, detected 
the crackling of underwood in the distance. Their 
equally sharp eyes saw the figure of a man coming 
down a trail from the opposite side of the dry creek 
bed. They recognized the features of the man, and 
as they did so, drew back with fast palpitating 
hearts, a hushed breath, and hurriedly hid them- 
selves behind the trunk of the tree upon which they 
ad been sitting. For they had seen that figure be- 
fore — It was Devil Jud Holbrook. 

Finding they had been unobserved the boys took 
courage and their faculties became actively alive. 
They now watched every movement of the old des- 
perado with interest. Don was surprised as well 
as gratified to find that all his nervousness had 
passed away, and he whispered to his companion: 

“A narrow escape, old pal, but it’s worth a farm 
in Texas to put one over on that old scamp. I won- 
der if he can boast that he’s had us under ‘kiver’ 
today, all day? No — hardly.” 

Devil Jud on reaching the creek bed turned down 
and went in the direction of its mouth, which the 
boys knew led to Tygart. They were relieved at 
his quick disappearance, and they decided to go on 
up to the entrance of the newly-found cave, and after 
a brief rest, explore it, and then camp there for the 
night, for they dare not venture any further down 
the creek. 


78 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


On reaching the entrance of the cave, the boys 
relieved themselves of haversacks and blankets, and 
then peered into the black depths of what they 
hoped was Lost Cave. 

“Where is your ball of twine?” asked Davidson. 

“Right here, pal, 0’ mine,” and Don reached into 
his pocket and produced it, then tied the end of it 
to a rock on the outside of the cave. Carrying the 
ball in his hand, he slowly unwound it as he started 
back. 

“Don’t forget the acetylene lamps,” he cautioned 
Davidson, “the flash will do for awhile. This little 
string may prove a real life-line to us should we 
get lost.” 

They were now creeping forward at a snail’s 
pace. 

“Well, Davy, old boy this is sure Lost Cave or my 
judgment isn’t worth a jitney. What say you?” 

“B’leve so too,” replied his companion, “but I’m 
not making any predictions until we have gone sev- 
eral miles back.” 

They did not go several miles back. In fact they 
had only gone a few yards back when Davy’s flash- 
light revealed an impassable barrier, a wall of lime- 
stone rock which was nothing more than the end of 
the cave. 

“Fool’s luck as usual,” grunted Don. It was more 
than a look of chagrin and disappointment that cov- 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 79 


ered his face — poor boy — it was black despair. His 
castle which had towered so majestically in the air 
a few minutes before, had now tumbled and lay at 
his feet an ungainly mass of debris. 

Slowly retracing his steps, with Davy following 
close at his heels, Don began to re- wind his ball of 
twine, and as he walked he found his faith, his 
confidence returning, and on reaching the entrance 
of the cave the glorious sunlight almost blinded him. 
With face aglow he cried out triumphantly: “I’ll not 
give up.” 



80 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


CHAPTER XIII. 

CHES SPRINGS A SCARE. 

The boys did not dare light a fire that night. In 
fact they considered it even risky to use their Lash- 
lights very much for fear of being detected by the 
foxy eye of Devil Jud. 

“One thing certain,” remarked Davy as they sat 
there in the darkness of the lone cave, “we’ve got 
to get some place tomorrow where a fellow can do a 
little cooking. I’ve just about run thru with my 
cooked grub.” 

“Same here,” replied Don, “but somehow, some- 
thing tells me we are going to find that cave to- 
morrow.” 

“We found it today, didn’t we?” and Davy gave 
a hearty chuckle. 

“Now you needn’t make fun of this discovery,” 
spoke up Don in his philosophical way. “Have you 
stopped once to consider what this cave has meant 
to us? It’s been a real life saver, for if my attention 
had not have been attracted to it, we would have 
gone on our way down the creek bed, and have been 
overtaken by Devil Jud — ^weU you can guess the 
rest. Old pal, this here little cave means a whole 
lot to me, and tonight I shall give a name. It shall 
be Refuge Cave.” 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


81 


Being good and tired from their day’s jaunt, the 
boys were soon rolled up in their blankets and fast 
asleep. It was shortly after the midnight hour that 
they were awakened froin sleep by voices down be- 
low. They could not distinguish the nature of the 
conversation, but they were agreed that one voice 
was quite familiar. It was the voice of Devil Jud. 

“He’s on his nightly trip,” whispered Don. 

They both watched closely from behind the fallen 
tree at the mouth of the cave. It was easy to see 
every movement of the old desperado as the moon 
was shining brightly. Someone had come down the 
trail from the opposite side to meet him. Both then 
went back up the hill over the same path which he 
had traversed that afternoon when spied by the 
boys. 

“Our situation is getting exceedingly ticklish,” 
said Don to Davy the next morning on arising. “I 
move that we go back and establish headquarters 
under Big Bridge, and operate from there.” 

This they did, and for the next two days they ven- 
tured down as far as Refuge Cave, but they were 
careful to keep out of the creek bed. 

It was on their second night at Big Bridge that 
they had at last reached the conclusion that their 
quest was a fruitless one, and that they would re- 
turn to camp the following morning. 

“It’ll be awfully humiliating to go back and have 


82 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


the fellows guying us, but we’ll face the music,” 
Don remarked gloomily. 

Davidson had already turned in for the night, and 
inquired of Don if he was ready for bed. 

“Not yet,” he replied. “You see it’s our last night 
on this trip of exploration, and I reckon I’ll see the 
rest of it out.” 

“You don’t mean that you intend sitting up all 
night?” 

“Yes, I guess so, but that needn’t disturb you, 
Davy,” and he threw another piece of wood on the 
fire. This they had built on the opposite side of the 
bridge, . careful that its rays would not be visible 
down Dry Branch. 

Thus Don sat for many hours before the blazing 
fire. Yes long after Davy had fallen asleep he sat 
there in a deeply meditative mood. He was think- 
ing mostly of the failure of his little expedition, and 
what it meant to him to have to return to camp on 
the morrow and face the ridicule of his feUow- 
campers. His eyes were heavy with sleep, and he 
was soon searching for his blankets. Rolling up in 
them, he was soon fast asleep, and with sleep came 
peace of mind. 

It was well past midniglit when he suddenly awoke. 
He started. He was sure he was awakened by the 
presence of a third party who had entered their little 
retreat under the bridge. He was confident that as 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


83 


he opened his eyes he could see by the flickering 
fire-light a form approaching from the other end of 
the chasm. There was a chill in the air, and a ner- 
vous shiver passed over him. There was no mis- 
take; it was no superstitious fancy, for he could 
now hear footsteps as distinctly as he was hearing 
his own heart beat. “Is it possible,” he was think- 
ing in that short space of time, “that on this last 
night, after escaping in such a miraculous way as 
we did from this old monster that it is our fate to 
at last fall into his clutches.” 

Nearer and nearer came the tramp, tramp of feet, 
which sounded strangely familiar, Don thought. He 
could hear the long, deep respirations of his sleep- 
ing companion, and he was reaching over to awaken 
him when he stopped suddenly and became motion- 
less. He was conscious of a form now standing over 
him, but the fire had now died down, and there 
was no possibility of recognizing who it was. A 
wild notion seized Don; a sort of last resort, and 
jumping to his feet with the fleetness of a deer, he 
grabbed the form with the ferocity of a tiger, and 
threw him to the ground, and throwing the whole 
weight of his body upon his victim, was now feeling 
for his neck. Instantly he knew it was not a man, 
but a boy near his own size. He immediately re- 
leased his fingers from the boy’s neck, who now 
began to yell: 


84 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


“Oh Lawdy, don’t kill me — don’t kill me.” 

The commotion awakened Davidson, and Don call- 
ed for a flash-light, but this was now unnecessary, 
for he recognized the voice — it was the voice of 
Ches. 

“Whut ye mean?” the astonished and frightened 
boy asked as he arose to his feet. “Ye saved mer 
life onct, now yer tryin’ ter kill me.” ‘ 

“Beg your pardon with all my heart, kid,” Don 
replied with no little emotion. He threw his arms 
around the lad’s neck, and hugged him for joy. 

“Why didn’t you sound some kind of alarm when 
you came in here?” Don asked. 

“I did’nt want ter ’sturb ye until mornin’ — I 
seed ther light, ’n I ’lowed et wuz your’n.” 

Don then explained why he gave him such a rough 
reception. He related to him all their experiences 
with Devil Jud Holbrook. 

“Wal you’d er shore kilt ’im, ef it had ’er bin ’im,” 
the boy replied in his characteristic way. 

“By the way, how’s your leg?” Don inquired. 

“Aw et’s healin’ up some, but purty sore yit, an’ 
blue lak.’ 

“Ches, you had no business taking such a trip as 
this one on that leg. What made you do it?” 

The boy bowed his head somewhat abashed. He 
hardly knew what sort of answer to give. Finally 
he said: 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


85 


“Jest wanted ter be wif ye scout boys.” 

“Well, we appreciate that too, but man alive, look 
what a risk you have run.” 

The boy hit Don on the shoulder as he said quite 
confidently: 

“Thet pizen’U never hurt me. Naw — I ain’t 

afeard.” 

It was not long until their eyes were greeted with 
the dawn. Don and Ches were' soon busy search- 
ing for fire-wood while Davy was making prepara- 
tions for the morning meal. 

“What time will we start?” Davy asked of Don 
after they had eaten their breakfast. 

“We don’t go today, Davy — Have you seen that 
kid’s leg?” 

Davy glanced over to where Ches was sitting, and 
noticed that his leg was again swelling, and had a 
nasty color. 

“We’ll stay here,” Don continued, “and see that 
this young man rests that leg,” and he looked at 
Ches with a commanding air. 

He stretched his blanket out over a bed of leaves, 
and beckoned to the boy to lie down. Ches’ prompt 
obedience was reaUy humorous, considering the little 
episode enacted by him on that first night at the 
cabin when he demanded food in such a discourteous 
manner. He was fairly eating out of Don’s hand 
now, and it all seemd rather amusing. 


86 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


CHAPTER XIV. 

A MIDNIGHT DISCOVERY. 

All day long Don looked after Ches as though he 
might have been his own brother. Not once did 
he allow him to move around on his sore leg, and 
twice during the day he had bathed it in cool wa- 
ter and dressed it. It was rather hard for one of 
Ches’ temperament to subject himself to discipline, 
but he seemed willing now to obey any command 
given by Don. 

“Do you know what I am going to do tonight?” 
Don asked rather impulsively as they were eating 
supper that night. 

“Why discover Lost Cave, I guess,” Davy replied 
with a grin. 

“Now, Davy boy, let up on that. It’s getting 
to be a rather embarrassing subject with me right 
now, and I fear it will be more so when I get back to 
camp. No — not that, but you know I’ve a half no- 
tion to go back down to Refuge Cave tonight and 
watch the antics of old Devil Jud. You know that 
old codger don’t go back there in the hiUs every 
night for his health.” 

“My advice to you,” Davy replied, “is to let Devil 
Jud alone.” 

“No, Davy, I’m going in the next hour,” and he 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


87 


glanced at his wrist watch. “Just as soon as it 
grows a little dark Fll set out. You stay here and 
take care of Ches.” 

Both boys begged him to abandon the trip, but to 
no avail, and as the shadows began to lengthen he 
started down Dry Branch, After he had gone about 
one half mile he left the creek bed and followed the 
ridge of the hill to Refuge Cave. He was taking 
no chances on this trip of meeting his nemesis, 
Devil Jud. 

Arriving at the cave he began his long vigil. True 
to schedule familiar footsteps were heard trudging 
up the creek bed shortly after midnight. Arriving 
at the spot opposite Refuge Cave, Devil Jud — for 
that’s who it was — turned as usual, and took 
the trail leading up the hill. Don’s resolve was 
a desperate one, but he felt it safer to carry it 
out at night rather than in daylight. A resolve 
to follow the old desperado and locate his nightly 
haunt. Creeping down the hillside at a snail’s 
pace, and careful that no underbrush crackled un- 
der his feet, Don reached the creek bed, and then 
by the moonlight could see the well-beaten path 
leading up over the hill on the other side. He found 
himself growing nervous as his feet trod the well 
worn path of his enemy, and a feeling of fear was 
gripping him and overpowering him. He tried to 
shake it off as he walked, but the farther he went 


88 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


the more he realized that he was treading on dan- 
gerous ground, and he halted for a moment and' 
debated whether he should go on or turn back. He 
possibly would have yielded to the latter impulse 
had not his eyes at that moment spied a light which 
seemed to be shining from a cave which was less 
than fifty yards away. He had been unable to see 
the light sooner owing to a great mass of debris 
which was piled up in front of the entrance. It 
was only when he rounded the turn of the path that 
it became visible. On closer inspection it looked 
like breast works thrown up, and had every appear- 
ance of a kind of fort. Don left the path and quietly 
circled around to the right of the cavern entrance, 
and then climbed the steep ascent which brought 
him to a point looking directly down on the entrance 
to the cave. Fortune favored him, for there was a 
cleft in one of the large rocks over the entrance and 
in this he took refuge, and awaited the dawn. 

He was awakened by a voice quite familiar to his 
ear, and the conversation which wafted its way up- 
ward to where he was sitting, ran as follows: 

“Strange footprints I tells ye. I seed ’em ez I 
started hum ’n I cum back ter warn ye.” 

“Aw gwan off, yer dreamin’. I’ll bet by heck 
theys yer own.” 

“Wal cum hyar ’n tek a peep fer yerself.” 

Don now arose and peeped out from behind a 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


89 


large boulder and could see the two men plainly 
as they went down the path to inspect the tracks. 
He recognized Devil Jud, The other man he had 
never seen before. 

"‘See,” spoke up Devil Jud, “Ets er boy’s track.” 

“Yer right, Jud, ez usual. By cracky et mought 
be one of Sheriff Ratliff’s spies.” 

Devil Jud was fairly snorting now, and he gave 
vent to his anger with threats and oaths. 

Don sat breathless, wondering, expectant, but not 
daring to move. The men might start a search of 
the hills any moment and discover him. He realized 
that he would sure be taken for a spy now. He had 
seen enough to know that their enterprise as well as 
their cave was a secret, and that these desperadoes 
would subject any witness, however innocent or un- 
willing, to horrible penalties. 

The time crept slowly by — ^he heard every rap of 
a woodpecker in a distant tree; a blue jay dipped 
and lighted on a branch within his reach, but he 
dared not extend his hand. 

Both men walked back to the entrance of the cave 
and Devil Jud was finally heard to say: 

“Wal — I mought be wrong, but let’s keep our 
guns handy. Mought ez well git our breakfus’ ’n 
we’ns kin cum back atter dinner.” 

Both then started down the path, stopping every 


90 THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


few minutes and taking a careful survey of the hills 
on both sides as though looking for someone. 

Don waited patiently, listening until the last foot 
fall of the men had died away in the distance, and 
then emerged stiff and cramped from his conceal- 
ment. But he no longer thought of flight; curiosity 
burned in his veins. He longed to see what the at- 
traction in the cave was. The only thing that pre- 
vented his immediate exploration of it was the fear 
that others might be there. No, he was sure there 
were no others — he would take a chance. Then he 
thought of the possible return of Devil Jud and his 
confederate, but he remembered they had agreed to 
return after the noon-hour. 

He quickly climbed down the steep ledge, and 
crept cautiously around to the entrance of the cave. 
Here he paused, looked, and listened. The solitude 
was profound. The change from the dazzling sun- 
light to the darkness confused him at first, and he 
could see nothing. On entering he stumbled over 
something — this something proved to be three good- 
sized jugs. 

“Ah,” he said in a whisper, “this must be a moon- 
shine still.” 

As. he went back further there were more con- 
vincing evidences. Here was a real honest-to-good- 
ness still, such as he had seen pictures of. 

Yes Devil Jud was a moonshiner, and he — Don 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


91 


Roberts, had done what dozens of Revenue Officers 
had failed to do: locate the still operated by Devil 
Jud Holbrook. 

He now lit his acetylene lamp, and started back. 
He was struck with the beauty of this cavern. Its 
formations were unlike those of any of the caves 
he had visited, and superior in beauty. It seemed 
to have color effects that even the great Bat Cave did 
not even possess. This main corridor which he was 
now walking thru was a winding one running thru 
limestone and glacial drift. Overhead were thou- 
sands of glistening stalactites which resembled the 
dome of some great cathedral with its shining in- 
candescents. Throwing his light to one side it fell 
upon a sight of rare beauty. At first glance it 
looked like it might have bee.n a jewel box of price- 
less value, containing rubies, emeralds, and dia- 
monds, due to the blending of the limestone and 
other mineral formations. Don was 'so thrilled by 
what he was witnessing that he had forgotten all 
about the danger which he was subjecting himself 
to, and he was going back farther and further into 
this labyrinth of wonder and beauty. 

He now began to observe other corridors leading 
out from the main one, both to the right and left. 
He had not traveled far until he came to a corridor 
which led off abruptly to his left. Glancing down 
it he noticed it led off into a large chamber of unu- 


92 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


sual size. The immensity of it aroused his curiosity^ 
and venturing off the main passage-way, he walked 
down the corridor, and glancing into this vast cham- 
ber witnessed hundreds of stalagmites closely re- 
sembling tombstones. It had every appearance of a 
well-filled grave yard. It was spooky to say the least, 
and he turned away quickly to witness something 
more cheerful. ^ 

Don knew that this was only the beginning of 
this great cavern. He knew also that it surpassed 
any of the other four caves he had visited. There 
was no longer any doubt in his mind that this newly 
discovered cave was none other than Lost Cave. He 
looked at his watch. It was just ten o’clock. He 
had been exploring the cave exactly three hours. 
With cautious tread he retraced his steps back to 
the entrance, and finding the coast clear made a 
quick dash for Big Bridge where he would announce 
his discovery. 



THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


98 


CHAPTER XV. 

LOST CAVE. 

It was thre6 more days before Ches’ leg had 
healed sufficiently to permit his walking on it, and 
the suspense was galling to Don, who longed to re- 
turn and make a more extensive exploration of the 
wonderful cavern which he had discovered. His 
announcement on arrival at Big Bridge was re- 
ceived somewhat skeptically by his companion and 
fellow-scout Davidson, who now was anxious to see 
whether all Don had been telling was the “real 
thing” or wild imagination. 

Ches could not be persuaded by any argument 
whatsoever to return to the house of the friends 
who had sheltered him all summer, but insisted on 
‘exploring the cave with the other two boys. In- 
stead of going to Refuge Cave as Don had done on 
his previous trip they followed the ridge of the hill, 
going direct to the bluff overlooking the entrance 
of Lost Cave, for Don had quite decided in his mind 
that this was Lost Cave, if not, a new one which 
rivaled any he^ had yet seen in the Carter group. 
They arrived at eight o’clock in the evening, and 
after resting here' all night, started on their return 
trip of exploration after the departure of Devil Jud 
and his confederate. It was decided that Don 


94 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


should stand sentinel, and it was his foxy eye that 
watched every movement of the moonshiners, while 
the other two boys kept closely under cover. In 
less than a half hour they had ventured in the cav- 
ern, and after going back for a distance of a quar- 
ter of a mile, started unrolling their baU of twine, 
and were soon witnessing the wonders of Lost Cave. 
Davidson, who rarely spoke, was now in a talkative 
mood, and slapping Don on the back, said: “Well, 
old chap, you have delivered at last. I’ll confess I 
didn’t have much faith in your story, but put her 
there” — and he extended his hand to Don in hearty 
congratulation. They had now completely unwound 
their ball of twine, and it seemed as though they 
had hardly started. They stopped and debated as 
to whether they should turn back or go on. Don 
finally exclaimed: “I say, go on. We have our grub 
and blankets with us. We can mark our way as 
we go along. I am not afraid of being lost. We are 
pretty weU posted as to the hours Devil Jud fre- 
quents this place, so forward!” 

Coming to a sort of basin which nature had carved 
from the rocks, they found it being constantly filled 
with pure, sparkling water. Don suggested that 
they make a wish as they drank, which they did, 
and. he henceforth called it the “Wishing Well.” In 
another place was a formation which resembled huge 
drifts of snow; further on an elephant, and a per- 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


95 


feet imitation of a coffin. This latter the boys 
named, “Job’s Coffin.” They did not venture off once 
from the main corridor, and many large chambers 
were observed on either side which the boys were 
confident contained many wonderful formations, 
but they were taking no chances, and passed them 
by undiscovered. 

Shortly after breakfast on the same day the three 
discoverers were pushing their way thru Lost 
Cave, Scoutmaster Bedford assembled his scouts for 
the purpose of organizing a searching party to find 
them. 

“I am deeply concerned about their long absence,” 
commented the Scoutmaster. “They have been gone 
nearly a week now. We should start home day after 
tomorrow, and we need Roberts in our baseball game 
tomorrow against the Oakland Stars. I fear they 
have met with foul play. This afternoon we will 
divide ourselves up in three squads and search the 
hills thoroughly. If necessary I shall take Sheriff 
Ratcliffe, who is in this neighbprhood now, to the 
home of this outlaw, Holbrook, and make a search 
there for them. Remember, we start right after 
dinner.” All shared with the Scoutmaster this feel- 
ing of uneasiness with the exception of Patrol Lead- 
er, Stockton, who still contended that Roberts and 
Davidson were equal to any emergency. 


96 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


“You said that before,” spoke up Timmy Sullivan, 
“and they got captured.” 

“Yes, and Don Roberts’ resourcefulness made pos- 
sible their escape,” retorted Stockton. 

“Well, he’s got to go some when he matches his 
wits with an old Devil like Jud Holbrook.” 

‘T’U admit that,” continued Stockton, “and what’s 
more he’ll beat Devil Jud at his own game. See if I 
am not right.” 

The explorers had now reached a rocky stairway 
which seemed to lead up to a second story of the 
cavern. After a sort consultation, they decided that 
they would tackle it, and see what was above. Reach- 
ing the top they scrambled thru a narrow hole, and 
Id! a beam of sunlight shot across their path. It 
did not come from the side of the cavern, but seem- 
ed to be shining down thru the roof. 

“Boys, this is luck,” Don shouted enthusiastically, 
“that is, if we can make our exit thru that hole.” 

It was fuUy ten feet above them; too high to 
reach with their hands. 

“Davidson, you and Ches can go first. Ches and 
I will lift you up first. I can boost Ches up in a 
jiffy, and you can pull him thru. Then you two can 
pull me up with your rope.” 

Aiter many failures, Davidson finally by great 
effort, pulled himself thru the opening, and reached 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


97 


the outside, where he found the air suffocating. It 
was an easier feat for Ches, who had the strong arm 
of Davidson at the opening to lift him thru. The 
rope was lowered, and Don fastened it around his 
body under the, arms, tying it securely with the 
bowline knot. At a signal he was lifted to the open- 
ing by his companions, where he scrambled thru, 
and gave a cheer of triumph. 

The boys were not surprised that this entrance to 
the cave went so many years unobserved. It was 
nothing more or less than a sink basin or “kettle 
hole,” which had sunk deeper and deeper, and was 
entirely obliterated from view by falling timber and 
underbrush. There was a depression in the ground 
for many feet around the opening, and might well 
have been called the entrance to the “bottomless 
pit” from its apearance. 

They came out in a woods and found it hard to get 
their bearings. They knew they were at least five 
miles from the Dry Creek entrance, but where? 
was the question. • They walked out to what seemed 
to be a clearing in the woods, and before Davidson 
had time to consult his compass, Don spoke up: 

“That fallen tree there looks familiar. You 
recall my saying that it was struck by lightning, 
judging, from the way it was splintered.” 

“Sure,” replied Davidson, “it was the afternoon 


98 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


we passed thru here for Smoky Valley. Why we 
can’t be over one hundred yards from camp.” 

“I know it,” spoke up Don, “it’s right at the foot 
of the hiU.” 

The three boys let out a yell that made the welkin 
ring. It did more. It brought to an end a confer- 
ence which was then being held by Scoutmaster and 
scouts for the purpose of organizing a searching 
party to find the lost explorers. 

“What did I teU you?” cried out Patrol Leader 
Stockton, quite triumphantly. “That’s the reason 
I stuck it out to the last today that it was useless 
for us to undertake any search. But there seems 
to be three of them. Who is that short, stumpy 
guy?” 

'Mr. Bedford laughed, as he said: 

“You will recall that when Columbus discovered 
America he carried Indians back to Spain to prove 
his discovery. No doubt this is a native of Lost 
Cave, which Don and Davy have brought with them 
as the proof of their discovery.” 

The whole bunch indulged in a good, hearty round 
of laughter. 

The three boys were running as they approached 
camp, and Don was crying at the top of his voice: 

“We found it — We found it.” 

“Found what, Roberts?” asked Bedford with a 
^mile as the boy came up and saluted. 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


99 


“Why, Lost Cave, sir.” 

“Like fun you did,” chimed in Timmy Sullivan 
with curt sarcasm. 

“All right, seeing is believing,” ejaculated Don. 
“I don’t ask you to take my word. I can prove it 
by these two fellows,” and he turned to Davidson 
and Ches. “If that’s not sufficient, I’U be glad to 
fake you thru the cave myself. It’s got all the oth- 
ers out here skinned a block.” 

“We’ll certainly avail ourselves of this rare priv- 
ilege, Robetrs, and you boys are to be congratulated.” 

This Mr. Bedford said as he walked over and 
grasped Don’s hand, and then Davy’s. 

“Who is this young man, Roberts,” he asked as 
he extended his hand to Ches. 

“Sir — that’s the celebrated ‘Chesso de Greato,’ the 
snake charmer of Smoky Valley. He’s acquired 
about aU the fame a fellow can in this world with 
but one exception: that’s becoming a scout. He 
comes among us for that purpose today.” 

Ches seemed to resent Don’s remarks, and thought 
he was poking fun at him, and he spoke up rather 
heatedly: 

“Quit yer lyin’, or I’ll punch yer face fer ye.” 

The boy’s face had reddened with anger, and with 
clenched fist, walked over and faced Don. 

“Why, Ches, old man, what’s got in you?” 


100 THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


“Ther devil, ’n whut’s more, ye can’t mek fun ’er 
me afore all ’er these hyar guys.” 

This little episode caused more excitement than 
the announcement of the discovery of Lost Cave, 
and Don was quick to put himseK right with Ches, 
and throwing his arm around his shoulders, said: 

“Ches, you know I wasn’t poking fun at you,’ old 
fellow. Can’t you take a joke? You’ll have to get 
used to it if you stay among this bunch of fellows 
very long.” 

That seemied to be sufficient to reconcile Ches, and 
the unhappy incident was soon forgotten. 

Before dismissing the boys, Mr. Bedford announc- 
ed that a team would be' picked that afternoon to 
play the Oakland Stars the next day, and that 
owing to the discovery of Lost Cave, they would 
prolong their visit a few more days and explore it 
under the leadership of Don. 



THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


101 


CHAPTER XVI. 

A GLIMPSE INTO CHES’ PAST. 

Ches was evidently ashamed of his little demon- 
stration of quick temper displayed before the scouts 
that afternoon, for he had left the group and was 
sitting on a stump quite a ways off. His head was 
bowed and there was a dejected look upon his face. 
As Don was passing him a few minutes later on his 
way to the spring, the boy stopped him as he said: 

“I’s powful sorry fer whut I sed. Don’t know 
why I made sech er fool uv merself.” 

“Well, it was because you thought I was making 
fun of you, Ches, but I never had any such idea. 
I am very sorry it occurred, but let’s forget it, and 
continue to be friends.’’ 

“You air th’ fust real frien’ I ever had,” the boy 
answered with a faint quiver in his voice. “Ever- 
body else jest cussed ’n kicked me aroun’.” 

Walking with Don to the spring the boy then 
opened up his heart and told him aU about his past 
life; of his tyrannical and brutal step-father, and 
how the latter had had him sent to the Reformatory. 
How one night he slipped away from this institution 
and walked for many days, finally taking refuge 
in the home where Don and Davidson had found 
him on the evening he was bitten by the rattle- 
asked: 


102 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


The boy’s story found a sympathetic listener in 
Don, and already the mind of this resourceful scout 
was devising some plan whereby the unfortunate 
boy could be helped to the better things in life. 

Finally the lad’s countenance brightened as he 
asked: 

“Did’n yer Scoutmaster say sumthin’ erbout er ball 
game?” 

“Yes,” Don replied, “we play the champion team 
of the County up at the Court House tomorrow. 
Why — do you play?” 

“Ye’d think it. Our team up et ther Reform 
School didn’t loser er single game las’ summer. 
They wuz called ther Tnvincibles’ ’n I pitched.” 

“Ah! is that so? Good news, for Manager Stock- 
ton. He hasn’t got a decent pitcher with him on 
this trip. You be on the field at four o’clock this 
afternoon and we’ll look you over and see what 
• you’ve got.” 

Leaving Ches at the spring, Don hastened back to 
camp to find Mr. Bedford. In confidence he told 
the Scoutmaster about the Moonshine still being 
operated near the entrance of Lost Cave, and who 
the owner of it was. TJie news all but floored Mr. 
Bedford, who finally exclaimed: 

“That means, Roberts, that it will be impossible 
for us to take our fellows thru there now until the 
authorities are notified. We can see Sheriff Rat- 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


103 


cliffe while we are at the Court House tomorrow. 
He told me only yesterday that he would sure at- 
tend the game. Stockton is right again. He pre- 
dicted this morning that you would beat Devil Jud 
at his own game, and it begins to look now like you 
wiU.” 

Don then told Mr. Bedford the story of Ches; how 
they had run in to him on the night he was bitten 
by the snake; of his following them; and finally Ches’ 
own story related to him a few minutes before. 

The Scoutmaster cast an admiring glance at the 
boy as he extended his hand, saying: 

“Roberts, you shall certainly have an Honor Medal 
for saving that boy’s life.” 

“Indeed I won’t, Mr. Bedford. Do you suppose 
for an instant that I would accept a medal for a 
good turn?” 

“You have the wrong idea, my boy. The granting 
of a medal is simply recognition of your act by our 
National Council. No true scout ever thinks of com- 
pensation while performing his good turns, and that 
is just the reason he is rewarded. That reminds me 
that we are to award some honors at our Council 
Fire tomorrow night, and I have received them to- 
day from Dr. Warbutton, Chairman of our Court of 
Honor, and I notice that your Eagle Badge is among 
them. You won’t reject that, will you?” 


} 04 THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE- 

“Hardly,” replied the boy, “that’s a different 
proposition.” 

Stockton was lining up his players for practice 
in the field adjoining the cave where they were 
camping, and Mr. Bedford and Don soon joined 
them. Stockton was soon apprised of Ches’ quali- 
fications as a twirler by Don, and it was not long 
until he was being tried out under the critical eye of 
the doughty little manager. He was not long in 
passing judgment, for he soon returned to where 
Don and Mr. Bedford were standing, and said 'with 
beaming countenance: “He’s great. Not so much 
speed, but plenty of benders.” 

So he had. Baseball was a sort of passion with 
the lad, and he had mastered both the out and in 
curve, as well as a fine breaking out-drop. He 
mixed these in a manner quite deceptive to oppos- 
ing batsmen. It was this superior brand of pitch- 
ing that gave the Invincibles the pennant at the 
State Reformatory, and new he was the scouts’ one 
ace for the big game against the Oakland Stars. 
Mr. Bedford and Don were soon into the game with 
the rest of the fellows, and a team was slowly but 
surely developing which would take measure with 
the County Champions on the morrow. Thus they 
practiced until it was too dark to observe the ball, 
and Manager Stockton calling his players to one 
side, announced his line-up for the coming game. 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


105 


“Our best bet for pitcher,” he began, “is — hey 
what’s your name?” he asked of Ches. 

Ches seemed embarrassed for the moment. Why 
he was not ready to reveal his true identity was a 
puzzle to Don, unless it was fear of detection. 

“Why his name is Roberts, also,” spoke up Don 
as he came to the lad’s rescue. “Put it down C. 
Roberts, and just chalk mine down D. Roberts.” 

“Mr. Bedford will cover first; Timmy Sullivan, 
second; Davidson, third, and D. Roberts, at short. 
For the out-field we will use the two Roths and 
Hess. As I am the team’s regular catcher at home, 
I guess it’s up to me to do the receiving.” 

That evening around the camp fire Ches was told 
in a very practical manner by Scoutmaster Bedford 
just what it meant to be a scout, and having been 
instructed while convalescing at Big Bridge by Don 
and Davidson, he was examined by the Scoutmaster, 
who then administered the Scout oath, and Ches be- 
came a full-fledged scout. Don, who stood as spon- 
sor for him was the first to grasp his hand, as he 
said: 

“Here’s hoping that you make good, old chap, and 
I know you will. Remember always that I am a 
pullin’ for you.” 


106 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


CHAPTER XVII. 

THE BIG GAME. 

A large crowd of fans had gathered at the little 
Court House to witness the game between the Oak- 
lands and the scouts. The little village could al- 
ways boast of a big turn out on circus day and 
on days when their champion team, the Oaklands, 
had a match game on. Mr. Bedford entertained no 
thought of winning with his boy team stacked up 
against a men’s team, but he accepted the challenge 
more to relieve the monotony ^of camp life for the 
boys, as well as entertain the natives, who even in 
this remote corner of the globe were lovers of our 
National Game. 

Ches was on the side lines warming up with all 
the confidence of a big leaguer. Quite a crowd had 
; gathered just back of him witnessing his display of 
curves, and commenting on them. One rural fan 
who had been watching his work with a critical eye 
for sometime, finally tapped him on the shoulder, 
and said: 

“Sonny, they’s shore purty, but ye hain’t got zip 
enuf to ’em. Our boys’ll fairly murder them slow, 
sickly lookin’ curves. They’ll knock the kiver off’n 
ther ball ter day. See ef 1 hain’t right.” 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


107 


Ches was aflame in an instant, and turning to the 
man, replied: 

“Say, mister. I’ll jest give give ye two bits fer 
ev’ry one ye kin hit. Cum on now ’n be game.” 

“I ain’t sayin’ I kin hit ’em,” the man replied, 
“but I’se speakin’ fer ther team.” 

“Air ye bettin’ on that air team?” Ches asked. 

“Naw indeedy. Naw sir — I’se a deacon in ther 
church, ’n I tecks no part in gamblin’ what-sum- 
ever.” 

“Well, mister, all I’se gotta say ez, ye has moughty 
pore jedgment fer a deacon. See ef I hain’t right 
atter th’ game.” 

All fans present were not rooters for the home 
team as could be plainly seen, for Sheriff Ratcliffe 
was now on the side lines giving quite a vociferous 
cheer for the “scout boys” as he called them. It was 
at this juncture that Mr. Mr. Bedford spied him, 
and taking him to one side, related to him Don’s 
discovery of the illicit still, and revealing to him at 
the same time the owner of it. 

“No ’sprise, sur,” he commented, “no ’sprise et 
all. I ’lowed aller long he wuz makin’ thet stuff, 
but he’s er foxy old devil, ’n we never could ketch 
’im with ther goods on.” 

The old sheriff was then silent for a moment, and 
broke out in a hearty fit of laughter. 

“What’s the matter?” Mr. Bedford asked. 


108 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


“Why, sur, Tse laughin’ ’bout thet Lost Cave,” 
and he experienced a second spasm of laughter. 

“Well, Sheriff, the boy must be right. He claims 
he came underground for fully five miles, and the 
cave, he states, is a wonder, and outstrips all the 
rest of them out here.” 

“Naw — I’ll tell ye whut’s ther matter with that 
air boy, ’n minds yer. I’m not meckin’ fun uv ’im 
— naw sur, he’s game ever’ inch uv ’im — but thet 
kid jest got one good whiff uv old Devil Jud’s moon- 
shine, ’n he jest ’magined he seed aller these hyar 
things. Ye know this hyar Carter County moon- 
shine gives a feller a pow’ful ’magination. No mis- 
take erbout et, sur — a pow’ful ’magination.” 

“Well, you know the old saying: ‘Seeing is be- 
lieving,’ so I have given you the tip now and you 
can go over and see for yourself.” 

“Shore I’ll go, and mark mer wurrud — et ain’t 
goin’ ter be eny man’s picnic. Ye kin never cap- 
ture thet old sinner ef he ever gits the drap on ye 
fust. He don’t give ye any time ter repent er make 
yer will. Age hain’t weakened thet hawk eye of 
his’n — no sur — ’n he’s as quick on ther trigger ez 
ther best uv ’em. I’U see ye atter th’ game. I see 
they’s gittin’ started.” 

The scouts handicap was not curves, but speed, 
and tons of it, so it seemed to the batters. The Oak- 
land pitcher was a six-footer, whose pitching arm 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


109 


seemed to sweep the ground as he delivered the 
ball. The pellet shot towards the plate with can- 
non ball velocity, and as straight as an arrow. There 
was no hugging of the plate by the scouts either, 
for that was too much like courting the undertaker. 
The three first batters fanned, and the Oakland fans 
were cheering themselves hoarse. 

“Well, if that guy keeps that pace all the way thru 
it’s nix for us,” Manager Stockton remarked quite 
dolefully to Mr. Bedford, as they were leaving for 
their respective places on the held. 

“Well, Stockton, he may and he may not. My 
experience as a ball player in the past has taught 
me that a pitcher who exceeds the speed limit in the 
first innings is due for a pounding later on.”- 

“That’s all right, Mr. Bedford, but that guy may 
not be exceeding the speed limit.” 

“Well, in that case the situation is rather gloomy 
for us, but let’s see what Ches is going to do.” 

Ches was not long in showing them what he could 
do. He was as calm as a summer morning. His 
face beamed, with confidence, and he began dishing 
out his offerings like a professional. 

The fans were now getting a rare treat of real 
comedy. Ches would dig his bare toes into the dirt, 
point his index finger at the plate, lift his left leg, 
and throw his hands in an arch over his head, and 
then deliver the ball. During these preliminaries 


no 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


the Oakland batter was bracing himself confidently 
to knock the ball a mile. The spheroid once released, 
wended its way lazily toward the plate. It looked 
good to the batter, for it was coming slow, and on 
a bee line for the plate, but just as he brought his 
bat forward to connect v/ith it, the measley thing 
took a quick dip to one side, and the batter in his 
eagerness to kiU it, gave a grunt that could be heard 
on the far side of the field, and missed it a good 
foot. A perplexed look covered^ his face, and he 
turned to see if the ball was in the catcher’s mit. 
“He’ll not fool me a second time,” thought the bat- 
ter. Ches, on the delivery of the second ball went 
thru the same preliminaries. This time the batter 
was looking for an out-curve, and as he reached out 
expectantly for it, the ball shot in close to his 
shoulder, a deceptive in-curve. Mixed with these 
two varieties was his favorite offering, the out-drop. 
He could always rely on this one in a pinch. It was 
amusing to watch this youngster mowing down bat- 
ter after batter by his wit and cool-headiness. 

They were now challenging him to throw a fast 
one, but Ches only grinned, an continued to dish 
out those to his own liking. He toyed with them as 
a trainer would his kennel of trained pups. He was 
master at all times, and his superb pitching injected 
confidence in the whole team, but like their opponents 
they were not hitting the ball either. The big Oak- 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


111 


land pitcher was stilll breezing along with his light- 
ning speed, and it was the opening of the eigth 
inning, and not a score had been made by either 
side. Fans on all sides gave expression to the fact 
that it was the greatest game ever played in the 
village. 

But the break camie in this particular round. Mr. 
Bedford’s quick eye observed the lanky pitcher feel- 
ing his right side and flinching slightly as he de- 
livered the ball. 

Mr. Bedford called his team’s attention to it. They 
were convinced now that the lanky twirler was no 
super-man, and was weakening. The psychological 
effect of this stiuation made them winners. They 
felt it in every fibre of their being. It had just 
the opposite effect on the big pitcher. His oppo- 
nents had discovered that he was “aU in.” Defeat 
loomed up before him like a dark cloud. He was 
beaten and he knew it. In this crisis he walked 
Don Roberts. Mr. Bedford followed, and sacrificed 
him to second. Mr. Bedford now took the third 
base coaching line to direct the plays. Somehow 
he felt the game must be won in this inning, and 
he was somewhat downcast when Stockton popped 
a foul to the catcher. Hess, their weakest batter, 
was up. The Scoutmaster signaled Don to get a 
good lead off, and as the pitcher delivered the baU, 
he was tearing down the path to third. With him 


. 112 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


safe at this station, the situation brightened. Hess 
bit on an easy one, and Mr. Bedford flashed to Don 
what the team called the “S. 0. S. Signal;” that 
after the second strike to steal home. This oppor- 
tunity now came for Don, for Hess again stirred 
the breezes. Watching the pitcher with an eagle 
eye, Don took a desperate lead off, and the pitcher 
fired the baU to third (just what the crafty little 
scout wanted him to do.) He was now half-way 
between third and home, and the catcher and third- 
baseman were closing in on him. Don had observed 
all the afternoon the extreme nervousness of the 
Oakland catcher, as well as his lack of self-control, 
and he was banking on this in the crisis which he 
had just precipitated to help him. Back and forth 
the ball was tossed. Finally with jaw set and a 
look of grim determination on his face, 'he made a 
wild dash for home. The catcher had him blocked; 
the ball was in his mit, but as he went to tag him, 
the baU dropped from his grasp, and rolled over 
on the diamond, and Don scored. Hess fanned, and 
Oakland took their turn at the bat. 

Ches was not weakening in this fatal round, but 
his curves were more deceptive than ever, and Oak- 
land with deep humiliation again took the field. The 
scouts were unable to increase their score in the 
ninth, and Oakland came up for their turn at the 
bat in this final round. The Oakland fans who up 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


113 


until now had been very orderly, began to bully- 
rag Ches. Epithets of all kinds were hurled at 
him. When these failed to rattle him they began 
hurling sticks and rocks. They were swarming out 
on the diamond like a mob. Their leader was none 
other than Bub Holbrook, who was saying with a 
sort of hiss: 

“Ef we can’t beat ye a playin’ ball, we can lick 
ye.” 

He now walked up to Ches, and said: 

“I know who ye air. I knows ye, don’t I?” 

Ches bowed his head, and then gave an affirma- 
tive nod. It could be seen that this question fired at 
him by this bully humiliated him. 

“I knows ye,” he kept repeating. 

By this time the mob had taken possession of the 
diamond and the game was fast degenerating into a 
free for aU fight. 

Don Roberts ran over from short to the pitcher’s 
box where Bub Holbrook was facing Ches. He was 
as pale as a ghost; his jaw was firmly set, and ap- 
proaching Holbrook, said in scathing tones: 

“Lick somebody? You look like licking some- 
body. You are quite brave indeed with a mob back 
of you. Come out here and fight me like a man, 
and m give you a worse licking than I gave you 
up on Tygart Bridge.” 


114 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


Bub tried to ignore him, and turning to the 
crowd, yelled out in commanding tones: 

“Cum on I sez, ’n let’s lick ’em.” 

The mob surged around the boys and Mr. Bed- 
ford. The latter was trying to reason with them, 
but like all mobs they had no ear for reason, and 
they continued to close in, when all at once a man 
was seen pushing his way thru the crowd, and yell- 
ing: “Stand back.” It was Sheriff Ratcliffe, whose 
presence had a quieting effect on the mob. Ad- 
dressing them, he said: 

“This ez shore a purty way ter treat visitors thet 
cums ter our town to inter-tain us. Ez this yer 
Kaintucky hospitality? I’se hyar ter see thet these 
scout boys git a squar’ deal.” 

He then grabbed Bub Holbrook by the shoulder, 
saying: 

“We know who you air too. I warns ye now ter 
leave this hyar town, an’ leave quick.” 

“Just a moment, Mr. Sheriff,” spoke up Don. “I 
know you are here to preserve law and order, but 
I am perfectly willing to settle this whole unhappy 
affair with that gentleman alone,” and he pointed 
his finger directly in the face of Bub Holbrook. 

The old sheriff without giving the matter any 
deliberation whatever, said: 

“Go to et. Ye brag erbout yer Holbrook fightin’ 
blood. Now show et.” 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


115 


Don walked up and faced Bub. The latter began 
edging his way back thru the crowd like a cur try- 
ing to find a hole to hide in. All the while Don was 
following him, saying: 

“Come on, be as bold now as you were ten min- 
utes ago.” 

Bub made no reply. No doubt he was thinking 
of those stinging blows dealt him on Tygart Bridge, 
and he deliberately turned, ran out of the field to 
the road where he quickly mounted his mule and 
galloped out of sight. An old native standing near 
by gave vent to this laconic remark: 

“An’ ter think I’se lived ter see ther day when a 
Holbrook wouldn’ fight.” 

This man’s family had been in a feud with the 
Holbrook clan for three generations. 



116 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


CHAPTER XVIIL 

CHES SAVED AGAIN. 

The Oakland fans were a fickle bunch as was 
plainly demonstrated at the close of this remarka- 
ble game. Ches was their hero now. Those, who 
a half hour before had pelted him with rocks, were 
vieing with each other now in paying him homage. 
Even the rural fan, who predicted before the game 
that his team would “knock the kiver’' off of the 
ball, was profuse with words of praise. “Yes sur,” 
he was saying, “them air balls jest circled our boys" 
necks. Never seed sech pitchin’ in these hyar parts. 
No, sur — No, sur — et’s ’markable."’ 

Don and Ches were walking together from the 
game. Just as they were crossing the little swing- 
ing bridge which spanned a small creek which ran 
through the village they saw a man approachng 
astride a mule. He was big and had red bushy 
whiskers. The sight of him made Ches turn pale. 
Don experienced some emotion also on seeing him. 
The man jumped from his mule grabbed a large 
stick laying in the road, ran up to the boys as they 
had just stepped off the bridge, and addressing Ches, 
said: 

“So ye stole er way from ther Reform School with- 
out my permission, did ye? Bub Holbrook wuz jest 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


117 


tellin’ me erbout yer loafin’ er round down hyar. 
Now miount thet mule, ’n back hum ye goes whar 
ye’ll find plenty er work waitin’ fer ye.” 

Don knew instantly that it was Ches’ step-father, 
but he recognized him in an entirely different role. 
He was none other than the man he had seen emerge 
from the cave with Devil Jud. 

Ches threw his head back, braced his shoulders, 
and there was a look of independence in his eyes, 
as he said: 

“Naw — I’ll die fust. Ye kin kill me, but ye can’t 
meek me go back thar ter be kicked er round by 
sech as ye.” 

The irate man grabbed the boy by the shoulder, 
and shoved him out into the middle of the road, and 
was in the act of lifting him to the mule, when Mr. 
Bedford and Sheriff Ratcliffe stepped upon the 
bridge. Don signaled them to hurry, but this was 
unnecessary, as the cries ot the lad now rent the air, 
and attracted their attention. They ran with in- 
creasing speed, and approaching the man. Sheriff 
Ratcliffe asked what the trouble was. 

“No trouble et aU,” he replied, “jest takin’ whut 
b’longs ter me.” 

“Air ye his father?” the Sheriff asked. 

“I most suttinly am.” 

“You mean step-father,’ Mr. Bedford corrected. 

“Whut’s ther diff’rence? I’se ’sponsible fer him.” 


118 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


“But,” Mr. Bedford continued, “you exercise that 
responsibility in a most cruel fashion if I am right- 
ly informed.” 

“Yer bin listenin’ ter his lies. He’s er bad boy.” 

It looked as though Ches was doomed to return to 
his abode of torture, but Don had the trump that 
would change the whole situation. 

“Mr. Sheriff,” he spoke up. “Arrest this man. He’s 
a moonshiner. I stand here as a witness to this 
fact. He is none other than Devil Jud Holbrook’s 
partner. I can lead you to the still if you wish 
it.” 

The old sheriff was amazed by the boy’s accusa- 
tion, but not nearly as much so as the moonshiner 
himself was, and he dug his heels into his mule’s 
flanks, and would have passed on, but the sheriff 
grabbed the bridle, turned the mule around, as he 
said: 

“Naw — this er way. We hev a coop down hyar in 
town whar ye gits free meals and lodgin’, ’n whar 
ye’ll hev plenty er time ter repent uv yer sins.” 

Emotion filled the breast of Ches as he realized 
what his sudden turn in the situation meant to 
him. Hugging Don with both arms, said, as tears 
of joy filled his eyes : 

“Old pal, ye hev saved me er ’gin.’ ” 

Sheriff Ratcliffe before leaving with his prisoner, 
informed Mr. Bedford he would be at the caves 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


119 


early the next morning where he hoped to bag big- 
ger game. He commanded his prisoner to dismount, 
and as their faces came closer together, the old 
sheriff exclaimed: “Lawd er mussy, I tho’t I 
knowed them air eyes. So ets you, Ben McGlone? 
When did yer grow that crap er whiskers?” With 
that they turned off the main road down a little 
path which was a short cut leading to the County 
Jail. 

Mr. Bedford and the two boys had now overtaken 
the other scouts at the edge of the village, and were 
soon hiking at a good gait, hoping to reach camp 
before dark. As they thus hiked they soon broke 
up into little groups which is a natural consequence 
on scout hikes. Don and Mr. Bedford were now 
side by side and reviewing the thrilling and excit- 
ing events of the day. It seemed strange that all 
these centered around Ches, and both Scoutmaster 
and scout rejoiced over the glory he had achieved 
that day, as well as his miraculous escape from the 
clutches of his cruel step-father, Ben McGlone. 

The Scoutmaster then shifted the conversation to 
Don himself when he said: “Roberts, this has been 
a great trip for you, hasn’t it? Since leaving home 
you have been captured by an outlaw, and made 
your escape; licked a bully; saved the life of a boy 
from snake-bite; discovered a cave; turned over to 
the authorities two of the worst outlaws in the 


120 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


County, and scored the winning run in this after- 
noon’s game. That’s not all. On tomorrow night 
you are to receive the Eagle Decoration. What 
more could you ask for? 

The boy hung his head for a moment. He was 
not the type whose head was easily turned; not the 
type to be mastered by conceit and self-importance. 
He finally raised his head, and replied: “You ask 
me what more could I ask for? Just one thing, Mr. 
Bedford. Means within my possession to help that 
kid,” and he pointed in front of him to Ches. That 
kid’s homeless, practically friendless, and deep down 
in his heart he wants to do the square thing; he 
wants to be clean. What show is there for him 
when we pick up and leave this country? Wasn’t 
he great today? Stood up there just like a man and 
had those big stiffs eatin’ out of his hands. All 
their rough stuff didn’t unnerve him in the least, 
and that quick temper of his he kept under control 
at all times. I say that’s the stuff in a fellow that 
makes a good scout.” 

It certainly is, Roberts, and I, like you, hope we 
can in some way help this little feUow to something 
better, and give him an environment that will forti- 
fy him in his fight to be a true scout.” 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


121 


CHAPTER XIX. 
don's day of triumph. 

Faithful to his promise, Sheriff Ratcliffe appear- 
ed at the caves the next morning bright and early, 
and after the scout’s had eaten a hastily prepared 
breakfast, all set out to explore Lost Cave, led by 
Don, Davidson, and Ches, the explorers. It was de- 
cided to enter from the rear and go straight on 
thru to Dry Branch entrance where the moon- 
shine still was located. Sheriff Ratcliffe had brought 
three additional officers with him, and aU heavily 
armed. 

They soon reached the little opening in the ground, 
and each one was let down into the cavern by means 
of a rope tied securely to a tree. All safely in, the 
tramp underground began. The skeptics were ex- 
periencing a peculiar sensation as their doubts be- 
gan to roll away, and they marvelled at. the wonders 
of this newly-found cave. The old sheriff, the most 
pronounced skeptic of them all, was amazed by what 
he was witnessing. 

It was a day of triumph for Don. He had been 
scoffed at, and ridiculed by his companions because 
of his deep-rooted conviction that Lost Cave was 
more than a myth. He was showing them now that 
he was more than a dreamer, he was a discoverer. 


122 THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


When the first streak of daylight, shining thru 
the Dry Branch entrance became visible, the boys 
were sent by Sheriff Ratcliffe down one of the side 
corridors, while he, Mr. Bedford, and the other three 
officers continued on their way to the entrance. Here 
they found the still which the Sheriff immediately 
wrecked. Large quantities of moonshine liquor was 
discovered stored away in a passage leading off to 
the right near the entrance. As yet the operators 
of the still were not visible. The sheriff felt that 
parties other than Holbrook and McGlone were in- 
terested, and he expected a pitch battle with the 
whole gang, especially if the news of McGlone’s ar- 
rest had reached them. It evidently had not. 

The sheriff then decided to go to the home of Devil 
Jud and arrest him there. He urged Mr. Bedford to 
take the scouts on back to camp as they might be 
placed in a false light by appearing with him on such 
an occasion, and he wanted to do nothing to hurt 
the good name of the movement. He was under ob- 
ligations to them now for their information. Mr. 
Bedford heeded this advice, and he and the scouts 
followed the officers down to Tygart River, crossed 
over at the point where Big Bend Creek empties into 
it, and intended taking the county road here back 
to camp, but just as they reached the little cross 
roads store, whom should they see sitting on the 
porch but Devil Jud Holbrook. Sheriff Ratcliffe and 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


123 


the officers immediately raised their pistols, and 
leveled at the old feudist on first sight, and command- 
ed him to submit to arrest. But Devil Jud’s trusty 
gun was up as quick as theirs. There was a flash, 
a deafening report, and the old feudist and moon- 
shiner lurched sideways, caught at one of the up- 
right beams of the porch, swayed backward against 
the side of the building, and leaned there. He was 
making a desperate effort to raise his gun. He 
stared at the officers with wide, horrified eyes, and 
then his gun fell away with a heavy thud on the 
floor. He took a swift pace forward striving to 
speak, but he choked instead, and so choking, sank to 
his knees, and stretched himself face downward on 
the floor, and lay there very still and quiet. The 
store door was opened and several men filed out, 
but none with sufficient courage to take up the fight 
with the officers. The latter walked over and were 
soon busy making preparations to take the body to 
its home up Big Bend. Mr. Bedford now reached 
the side of the sheriff and expressed his regret that 
the arrest terminated so tragically. 

“Don’t let thet worry ye’” the old sheriff remark- 
ed rather indifferently. “You see this hyar gun,” 
and he passed the old feudist’s gun to Mr. Bedford. 
“How many notches air cut on et?” 

“Twelve.” 


124 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


“Thet means thet th’ ole sinner hez kilt twelve 
men durin’ his life,' but he’ll kill no mo\” 

“Surely not,” replied Mr. Bedford. 

“Yas sur — He’s boasted uv et, ’n he’d er kilt me 
ef I hadn’t got ther drop on *im.” 

Mr. Bedford hurried back to where the scouts 
were standing. They were excited over the scene 
just enacted, and he regretted that they were wit- 
nesses of it. They now resumed their hike back 
to camp, reaching there in time for noon mess. 



THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


125 


CHAPTER XX. 

THE TREASURE. 

That last night around the Council fire at Carter 
Caves was one never to be forgotten by Scoutmas- 
ter Bedford and his loyal band of scouts, for it cli- 
maxed the greatest trip of their lives. Mr. Bed- 
ford arose and in a few chosen words reviewed their 
trip from the time they had left home until the 
present hour. “We have all been drawn closer to- 
gether,” he was saying, “and we have been like one 
big family. We have shared our good things to- 
gether. We have had good, wholesome fun, and in 
all our games we have proven ourselves true scouts 
in the fullest sense of the term. On this last night 
1 have a number or honors to confer, and as I call 
your names please come forward. I have First 
Class badges for Scouts Davidson, Sullivan, and 
Hess. The boys stepped forward, saluted, and re- 
ceived their honors. Mr. Bedford emphasized the 
importance of First Class training, and then con- 
gratulated the boys. 

“Next on my list is Scout Don Roberts, who re- 
ceives the highest honor awarded by our National 
Court of Honor: the Eagle Rank.” Don stepped 
forward, and stood before his Scoutmaster. The red 
glow of the campfire was shining full upon his coun- 


126 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


tenance, and he looked supremely happy. The 
Scoutmaster knowing his disposition did not em- 
barrass him with any lengthy congratulatory re- 
n arks. Besides, the badge of this rank spoke for 
itself. He merely pinned it on his breast, and 
grasped his hand in hearty congratulation. 

The next honor is for Scout Hoover.” Fatty 
looked up with surprise. He hesitated a moment, 
but finally walked to the front, saluted the Scout- 
master, and stood at rigid attention. Mr. Bedford 
reached down in the grass behind him, produced a 
big watermelon. “Scout Hoover you have been de- 
clared champion eater on this trip, and in recog- 
nition of this achievement, I take great pleasure in 
presenting you with the prize which has been 
awarded by your fellow-campers.” He placed the 
watermelon in Fatty’s hands amid the cheers and 
laughter of the crowd. 

“Scout Ches Roberts.” 

Ches was seized with an attack of bashfulness 
and bucked, but Don soon had him by the hand, and 
led him up to the Scoutmaster. Just as Mr. Bed- 
ford started addressing him, the sound of horses’ 
hoofs were heard. The attention of the campers 
was directed to a rider now approaching. It was 
Sieriff Ratcliffe. Drawing up in front of the fire, 
he began addressing Mr. Bedford: 

“Sur et mought ’sprise ye when I tells ye thet 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


127 


thet old codger didn’t die. Naw, sur — ^blame et, he 
raised up soon alter we’uns got ’im hum, en axed 
fer a drink.” 

‘'Do you mean Devil Jud?” 

“ ‘Zackly so, sur. Ye can’t kiU his kind, but one 
thing sartain he’ll land in ther pen when he duz 
git well. By ther way yer boy thet discivered thet 
still ez due some sev’ral hunder‘d dollars reward, ’n 
ef he’ll jest walk up hyar. I’ll giv’ et ter him.” 

Mr. Bedford signaled to Don, who arose and 
walked over to where the sheriff was sitting. When 
he extended the bills to Don, the boy locked his 
hands behind him as he said: 

“Mr. Sheriff, I searched all thru that cave this 
morning for that treasure which was supposed to 
be hidden in there, but no where was it to be seen. It 
worried me because the cave seemed incomplete 
without the treasure. At last you come with it, and 
my mind is eased. But I must refuse to accept 
what is rightfully yours. You risked your life 
this afternoon to make the arrest, therefore you 
must keep the reward. So, Mr. Sheriff, I take 
great pleasure in presenting you with the “Treasr 
ure of Lost Cave.” 

The old sheriff swore he wouldn’t take it, but Don 
was equally as persistent that he should, so he stuck 
the money back in his pocket, bade them all good 
by, stuck spurs to his horse, and galloped off. 


128 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


The Council Fire was resumed, and Ches was again 
called for, and the Scoutmaster pinned on his left 
breast the tender-foot badge, but there was not 
the expression of joy on his face that Mr. Bedford 
had anticipated, and he thought he knew why as 
he studied the lad’s face closer. Could he be think- 
ing of tomorrow? The day when he must bid adieu 
to those who had brought the only real joy into 
his life. To face the future without them seeemd 
a cross almost too heavy to bear. All this the Scout- 
master read in the boy’s eyes, and before the lad 
could return to his place around the fire, Don arose 
and stood by his side, as he said: 

“Fellows: I want to read you a letter which I 
received from home today,” and he reached in his 
pocket for it. He began reading: 

Dear Son: 

I have your letter, and note your re- 
quest. Both your mother and I have given 
the matter our careful consideration, and 
have decided to let you bring the young 
man home with you, and if he proves to be 
all you say he is, why we may adopt him as 
‘your brother.’ 

Trusting we shall see you soon, I am, 

Your affectionate. 


DAD. 


THE TREASURE OF LOST CAVE 


129 


“Fellows: that young man Dad speaks of is 
Ches,” and he threw his arm around the lad, con- 
tinuing: “and from this night forth he is my 
brother, and the honor’s all mine.” 

A mighty cheer went up from the group, and 
arising from their places around the campfire, they 
grabbed hold of each other’s hands and formed a 
circle around Don and his newly-adopted brother 
as they sang quite lustily: 

“For he’s a jolly good fellow, 

For he’s a jolly good fellow. 

For he’s a jolly good fellow, 

A jolly good fellow is he.” 

“Who?” yelled the leader, when the song was fin- 
ished. 

“Don,” came the mighty refrain. 

“Who?” he cried out again. 

“Ches,” they answered. 

It was a night of merriment for those whose songs 
and yells filled the air. 

It was more to .Ches — it was a new start in life 
for him. 


'THE END. 


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